Eric Curtis
Culberson – Eric Charles Curtis of Murphy passed away from illness on Nov. 1, but he was not forgotten.
Curtis loved his family and friends, and he also loved to hunt and fish. He was also passionate about being a firefighter, dedicating 22 years to wearing the helmets of Copper Basin Fire & Rescue, East Polk County Fire & Rescue and the Wolf Creek Volunteer Fire Department. He served as a chief with Wolf Creek for seven years and as assistant chief for three years with Copper Basin.
Services for Curtis were held on Nov. 16 at the Culberson Fire Department, where the presence of fire department personnel and apparatus was overwhelming. More than 100 people attended the service to remember and honor the local firefighter and his family.
About 43 fire trucks from several different departments drove in tandem, an impressive show of love for their fellow firefighter. The mood appeared both somber, as a loved one was gone; and cheerful, as speakers shared stories of funny moments spent with Curtis.
Department badges marked by black mourning bands spoke of the silent sadness for a man who lived doing what he wanted and died as a local hero.
Curtis was born in Copperhill, Tenn., on Sept. 16, 1974. He was a husband, father, grandfather and Christian, who enjoyed the beautiful things in nature created by the loving hand of God.