James "Jim" Walter Curtis

James “Jim” Walter Curtis, 85, of Odessa, Missouri passed away Thursday, February 6, 2025, at St. Luke’s East Hospital in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, surrounded by his loving family. 

 Visitation will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, February 13, 2025, at the Odessa Restoration Branch, 6783 MO-131, Odessa, Missouri, 64076. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, February 14, 2025, at the church. Interment will be held at Odessa Cemetery in Odessa, Missouri. Memorials are suggested to Odessa Restoration Branch. Memories of Jim and condolences for his family may be left at www.LedfordFamilyFH.com or on our Facebook Page. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ralph O. Jone Funeral Home, 306 S. 2nd St., Odessa, MO, 64076, 816-633-5524. 

 Jim was born on January 7, 1940, in Independence, MO to Ronnie L. and Marjorie (Dennis) Curtis. He graduated from Odessa High School in 1957. Jim was united in marriage to Sylvia Heidelberg on July 9, 1960, in Jackson, Mississippi. He retired from the United States Postal Service as a Mail Carrier in Odessa, MO. Jim was a member and Deacon of the Odessa Restoration Branch. In addition to spending time with his family and friends, Jim enjoyed spending his and Sylvia’s winters in Florida with Melissa and her family, watching and attending Mizzou Football and Chiefs Football games, Royals games, playing senior league golf, and drinking coffee at JJ’s and McDonalds, but most of all attending his grandchildren’s school activities. 

 Jim is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Sylvia Curtis of Odessa, MO; three children, David (Theresa) Curtis of Blue Springs, MO, Melissa (Scott) St. George of Winter Garden, FL, and Lisa Dowell of Odessa, MO; six grandchildren, Jonathan (Claire) Curtis, Nicole Curtis, Hayden Dowell, Amanda St. George, Ashley St. George, and Carson Dowell; three great-grandchildren; and many relatives and friends. 

 Along with both his parents, Jim was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Lou Raynes.