James Everett Curtis

James "Jim" Everett Curtis, 78, of Farwell, Texas, passed away in Amarillo on January 27, 2025.

An only child, Jimmie was born to James and Margueritte (Blaine) Curtis on April 14, 1946, in Boulder City, Nevada. The young family soon moved to the family homestead south of Farwell to farm. Jimmie (along with childhood friends we’ll refrain from naming here) was a mischievous prankster and daredevil in his formative years. One of his favorite targets was a young lady from Muleshoe whom he met at church in Lariat. She was not amused.

In 1965, Jimmie joined the Army and was stationed at Ft. Bragg. The responsibility matured him, making him much more charming to that young lady from Muleshoe he had long ago pestered. Specialist E4 Jimmie married Sherry Stancell on October 29, 1966, and they soon departed for a 2-year deployment in Germany, where he attained the rank of sergeant (and thoroughly enjoyed driving fast on the Autobahn). After his service completion, they returned to Farwell to join the family farming and ranching tradition.

Starting in 1968, “Daddy” became Jimmie’s primary moniker. A proud father of five daughters, this ultimate Girl Dad attended nearly every game, meet, concert, play, and ceremony that one of his own participated in, no matter how big or small their part or the farming season. His girls jokingly coined “Daddy’s Bathroom” as his locked island of solitude where he could retreat when the sea of concentrated estrogen in the house became just too much. 

Highly protective of his girls during their dating years, Jim generally kept a shotgun visibly positioned near the front door of the Curtis house. Several poor lads were made pointedly aware of its accessibility by the man of the house (to the family’s amusement and usually a daughter’s exasperation); nevertheless, five fine young men persevered to become treasured sons.

With the arrival of his first grandchild in 2000, this proud Papa eventually enjoyed spoiling all nine grandkids with fishing trips and sleepovers. With that special twinkle in his eye and mischievous grin, giggles were always in abundant supply when Papa was around.

Jim truly was a master angler. His level of skill catching trout in a stream with a spinning reel and Panther Martin lure was a sight to behold. There was little he enjoyed more than the gift of a beautiful day in the company of loved ones with rod in hand.

Jim had a lifelong interest in all things aviation, from airplanes to spacecraft. NASA astronauts were his celebrities, and he would wake his girls up in the wee morning hours to watch the various televised rocket and space shuttle launches. Jim never missed an opportunity to take the family to air shows at Cannon Air Force Base and delighted in his girls’ enthusiasm to seek autographs from performing pilots. In later years, he especially enjoyed honoring WW2 pilots through his involvement with the Commemorative Air Force High Sky Wing in Midland. There, he spent hours with close friends helping to restore and polish the exterior of a Beechcraft C-45 that now flies in air shows. Jim was dedicated to honoring all veterans and took special pride in supporting the military service of daughter, Karyn; son-in-law, Vinny; grandson, Matthew; and Matthew’s betrothed, Anna. 

Over the years, Jim proudly served in the Farwell Jaycees and the Farwell Volunteer Fire Department. He volunteered his time at many school events and was his children’s and grandchildren’s greatest fan in all their varied endeavors. Jim was a Christian and a member of the Lariat, Farwell, and Bovina Churches of Christ at different phases of his life.

Jim is survived by his wife, Sherry; his daughters and “sons”: DeAnn & Ted Ogilvie of Williamsburg, Virginia; Sonya & Chris Aycock of Midland; Amanda and Trey Kennedy of Frisco; Karyn & Paul Diffin of Acworth, Georgia; and Debra & Vinny Villanueva of Cibolo; his grandchildren: Matthew Aycock and fiancé Anna Stolz, Arden Ogilvie, Camryn Kennedy, Grant Ogilvie, Carson Kennedy, Madeleine Villanueva, Kenny Diffin, Lucas Diffin and Jude Villanueva; and his siblings-in-law, Gary Stancell of Muleshoe and Danny & Kay Stancell of Levelland.

An informal celebration of life is planned for Sunday, February 16, from 2-4 pm at the Farwell Church of Christ. In lieu of flowers and to honor his love for the child in us all, his family suggests donations be made to New Mexico Children’s Home, 1356 NM 236, Portales, NM 88130.