Lowell Eugene "Gene" Curtis - Founding Father of GTA Forums

[ezman604]

It is with a heavy heart and great personal sadness that I must announce to you the passing of one of our forums founding fathers. Lowell Eugene “Gene” Curtis passed through this world today taken from us by a rare form of cancer attributed to contact with Agent Orange. He was a true American Hero!!!
The airgun community has lost a true champion, a real gentleman and a talent that can never be replaced.  I have personally lost a dear friend. Gene will live forever in the threads of this forum that he and Bob built for us. Bob has asked that after posting this that I lock it for just his response. Everyone needs to post their thoughts so please do in other areas of GTA Forums. There is at least one thread it would be appropriate, the sticky in the Announcement Gate. http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=74132.0

Gene asked me to share this message with all of you and it is in his own words.
GOD Bless and GOD Speed my dear friend. Until we meet again.



“It has come to my attention that a few words need to be said from my point of respect to you all. The GTA would not have been TODAY as it is, were it not for you all. This I am in deep gratitude for. I just don’t want the last words out of my mouth to be anything but tremendous words of gratitude and respect.
Thank you all for all you have done!!!”

Gene Curtis

[CharlieDaTuna]

I’ve lost my brother

Gene and I were like blood brothers and have been through both good times and bad but mostly good. When we found out last summer of Gene’s cancer and health issues, we faced it together along with Kathy and Dez.  Kathy is one wonderful person. Gene faced it just as though it were just another airgun problem. He made plans for it and followed through with them to a “T”. We discussed his coming to the end often and in detail. He did not let go easily. Gene was a fighter and fought this to the very end. That was Gene....

Gene and I spent a tremendous of time together either at his house or mine over the many years that we knew each other, working together and many many lunches together until the last few months when it got to the point where Gene was no longer able to get out. Then we would set on his back porch and talk. We discussed many things and reminisced about the years gone by, where we've been, were we are and how we have grown and what the GTA might be like years from now. And I’m not ashamed to say that we leaned on each other and shared many tears together over the last several months also. Gene and I were very close. I told him when he gets there to be sure to “Save me a place at the table” and that “we would work up another gig and maybe even another web site”. He assured me that he would and would have some laughs about it.

I know Gene is in God’s hands now. He’s my brother and I hope to be with him again one day and that we can carry on.

I love you Gene. Save my place buddy cuz I’m comin.

Thank you Dez for all that you have done and also the rest of the GTA staff.

Bob

 http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=74132.0

[ezman604]

The official release written by Cathy and son Jeremy:

Remembering the life, death, and legacy of Lowell Eugene Curtis: a Grandfather, Father, Husband, Brother, Son, Soldier, and Friend to so many.

Lowell Eugene “Gene” Curtis, age 67, of Anderson, South Carolina, passed away peacefully in his sleep at 3:00 P.M. on Thursday, April 23, 2015, at Richard M. Campbell Veterans Nursing Home in Anderson, South Carolina. A strong man with a big heart, Gene’s thoughts were always of his children, grandchildren and his loyal wife, who never left his side so that he was never alone during his battle with cancer.

He was born on November 13, 1947 in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he was the youngest of three sons of Bruner R. and Dora W. Curtis. Gene was a humble man who proudly served his country with honor. As a Vietnam Veteran, he was a true example of the quote “All gave some, but some gave all,” as he continued to serve his country until he passed. 

In retirement, Gene was a diehard Airgun Enthusiast. He was the founder of the largest Airgun forum on the internet, GatewayToAirguns.org, and loved building and repairing Airguns of any kind. He was the host of the Airgun “Fun Shoot” for many years. His love of Airguns and the wonderful Airgun Family that he brought to us has meant the world to us. Because of this wonderful Airgun family from all over the world, we have felt so much love; the cards and phone calls and all of the words of encouragement were greatly appreciated. Gene had a personality that you couldn’t help but to love. We have indeed lost a great man.

Gene was preceded in death by his Father Bruner R. and Mother Dora W. Curtis and Brothers Jerry and Bufford “Kurt” Curtis. He is survived by and will be greatly missed by his wife, Cathy J. Curtis, of the Home; son Jeremy R. Curtis, grandson Jayce R. Curtis, and daughter-in-law Megan M. Curtis of Vail, AZ; daughter Gena Simkins, granddaughter Ayana Simkins, grandson Jevan Simkins, and son-in-law Keith Simkins of Polson, MT; three step-children Paul Johnson of Tamassee, SC, Kimberly Slaton of Anderson, SC, and Jeffery Slaton of the home; and step-grandchildren Isaac Johnson, Dylan Johnson, and Jordan Clinkscales.