WATERTOWN Jim Curtis passed away at the age of 73 on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 in Watertown.
Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 15, at First United Methodist in Watertown. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Monday, July 14, at Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown.
Interment will be at Broadland Cemetery, Broadland.
James Jim E. Curtis, died July 9 in his home with the love of his life by his side, after a short battle with cancer. He will be forever remembered for his unique and contagious laugh that would fill a room. He will also be remembered for the click of his boots as he walked.
Jim was born on September 11, 1951, in Miller, to Miles and Artis (Joy) Curtis. He grew up in rural St. Lawrence, until his family moved to Sioux Falls in 1957. He attended Lincoln High School, graduating in 1969. He attended college at SDSU until finding work as a surveyor for the Bureau of Reclamation in 1972. In his downtime, he also worked for area farmers around rural St. Lawrence.
He met the love of his life, Peggy Bushfield, in March of 1973. They married May 18, 1974, in Broadland. Jim and Peggy were blessed with four children: Kathy, Tim, Debbie and Tom. They lived in the Huron area until 1978, then moved to Watertown where he began work for Western Area Power Administration as a Substation Electrician for 33 years, until his retirement in 2011. He was also a proud member of the local IBEW chapter 1959.
He enjoyed coaching T-ball and was a Cub Scout Leader and Cub Master of PACK 8 for many years. He enjoyed teaching and guiding the young men as they worked to achieve their patches and goals. He shared the love of music and driving with his kids, often cruising home in the wee hours of the morning to the oldies of the 60s and 70s and country music. He enjoyed attending the S.D. State Fair and was proud that he was able to attend the event at the end of every summer.
He shared his love of hunting and the outdoors with his dad, brother, sons, nephews, grandkids and friends. They met up at the hunting lodge they lovingly referred to as the Curtis Hilton. Many games of cards were played while on their hunting adventures.
He enjoyed being a part of the events of his grandchildrens lives, such as graduations, school and church programs, sporting events and plays.
Grateful to have shared his life are his wife, Peggy; their four children: Kathy (Joe) Waklee of Montevideo, Minn.; Tim Curtis of Box Elder; Debbie (Kyle) Elsen of Bath; and Tom (Emma) Curtis of Jamestown, N.D.; Grandchildren: Chariton (Brandon) Kretzschmar, Cayson (Chesnee Wagner) Elsen; Kamden Knudson, Ayleigh and Alyvia Curtis; Miles, Ben, Charlotte, Amelia and Theo Curtis. Siblings: sister, Carol Hurley of Bellevue, Neb.; brother, Michael Curtis of Sioux Falls; sister-in-law, Valerie Curtis of Mitchell; brother-in-law, Mark (Mary Ellen) Bushfield of Hitchcock; sister-in-law, Mary Beth Bushfield of Watertown; several nieces and nephews, and many of their childrens friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents: Miles and Artis Curtis; his in- laws: Robert and Ola Bushfield; brother, Donnie Curtis; brothers-in-law, Larry Hurley and Larry Bushfield, sister-in-law, Lora Bushfield, daughter-in-law, Kayla (Knudson) Curtis and granddaughter, Harper Waklee.
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