Richard Jerome Curtis

Richard Jerome Curtis, of Grand Blanc, Michigan passed away peacefully in his home on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 with his daughter Susan at his side. Richard was born on January 15, 1940, to Huebert and Irene Curtis in Flint, Michigan. Richard attended and graduated from Holy Redeemer in 1957 and then entered the Air Force as a 17 year old. Richard was trained as a Radio Operator and spent 2 years on St. Lawrence Island, Alaska. After his tour in the Arctic, Richard was stationed at White Sands Air Force Base in New Mexico, where he met the love of his life, Rosita Curtis. Richard and Rose married on July 23rd, 1960 at Blessed Sacrament Church in Burton, Michigan. Rose and Richard went on to have three children, Lee (Lisa), Dean and Susan (Ramiro) and have 6 grandchildren, Romy, Joslyn, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Dillon and Megan and 1 great granddaughter, Lily. After the Air Force, Richard went on to attend Michigan State University and graduated in 1967 with a Degree in Criminal Justice. Richard loved his Spartans and spent his entire adult life cheering for the Green and White. While attending MSU, Richard also purchased and developed a 400 site mobile home park in Perry, Mi which opened in 1968 and still stands today as Countryside Village.

Richard would go on to be the superintendent of the Industrial Mutal Association (IMA) auditorium in Flint, Michigan and would later become a supervisor and then Senior Engineer at AC-Delco/Delphi. Richard adored his wife and loved his family above all things. A devote Catholic, Richard loved motorcycling, camping, canoeing, skeet and trap shooting, photography, golf and reading. He and Rose spent many happy hours motorcycling and camping together and passed his love of motorcycling onto his two sons. In the 1980’s he also joined a Rendezvous Club where he learned to throw axes, shoot muskets and make in own deer skin clothing.

Richard was blessed to have many wonderful dogs in his life that he loved from Dawn the boxer as a child, a wonderful bird dog named Rusty, to a number of shih tzus named Charlie. His last dog Charlie was bedside with Richard at his passing.

Richard was always up for an adventure and loved to trick his friends and family with jokes and stories, earning him the enduring name “Tricky Dickie.” Richard is survived by his children and his sister Martha.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday , October 23, 2025 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church (404 N. Dayton St. Davison, MI 48423) with Fr. Andrew Czajkowski officiating. The family will receive guests on Thursday at the church from 1:00 PM until the time of service.

A Celebration of Richard's Life will follow the service at Maddens Lounge in Davison, Michigan.

Richard will be laid to rest, with military honors, at 9:00 AM Friday, October 24, 2025 at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan.

Arrangements provided by Sharp Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 6063 Fenton Road, Grand Blanc. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Old News Boys of Flint www.onbflint.org

Tributes may be shared on Richard's obituary page at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com