Curtis Leon Howard

To view a recording of Curtis' funeral service, please click here.

Jesus, hide the keys to your fastest car or Curtis is going for a ride! On June 4th, 2025, after 91 years on earth, he left to pick up Tudy for a new grand adventure in heaven. 

Curtis was born January 13th, 1934, in Preston, Missouri. He grew up farming and working at the family dairy. He knew honest work, taking care of animals, and always creating a new invention.  He also raised and trained famous Missouri Mules for the military. He was always busy and adventurous.  

Curtis never met a stranger. We always joked he could talk to a wall, and it would answer. He loved a good story and to tell jokes. His favorite stories always being how he was unjustly given a whoopin’ for an offense against his sisters as a kid (he totally deserved it). He retired from JR Simplot after working there since 1966.  Jack knew him personally and always looked for the “Missouri Kid” when he came on location. Curtis also worked for Spudnik equipment at night, designing one of the first potato unloading beds with a bottom conveyor belt for kinder care with the “spuds”, ending his night career at Sun Valley Potatoes. He was a master welder creating beautiful ornamental designs including plant stands, fences, doors or anything else he could dream up.   During the Oakley dam threat in 1984, he went to work at Simplot from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., to his evening job until 10:00 p.m., proceeded to work at the dam to weld wall extenders all night, then repeat. He wouldn’t sleep for days. He was Superman. Curtis loved to fish, camp, work around the house and take care of his family.   

Curtis is preceded in death by his parents Lowell and Grace Howard and his wife Tudy, who passed in 2000.

Curtis is survived by his sisters Leaila (Arthur) Johnson and Linda (Lindol) Mashburn.

Curtis’ legacy will live on through the family he loved and nurtured; daughters Candy (Bob) Throop and Cinda (Mike) Peña. His grandchildren Dean Throop, Lauren Peña (fiancé, Cade Mayo), Karlee (Dennis) Pecchenino, and Michael (Colbie) Peña. He was able to meet, and  adore, his four great grandchildren Alex Throop, Katherine Throop, Miko Mae Rose Pecchenino, and Michael Christopher Peña.

The family would like to thank the amazing staff at Table Rock Senior Living and Idaho Home Health Hospice for their loving care. 

We would also wish to thank David and Debbie Critchfield and their family. They’ve become our extended family, and we are very grateful for all the love and grace they showered over Curtis.

In lieu of flowers or donations; take a moment to call your loved ones – let them know you love them and express how important they are in your life. That is forever, free and priceless.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 10th, 2025, at Morrison Payne Funeral Home, 321 East Main Street, Burley, ID  83318. A viewing will be held for family and friends at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will immediately follow at the Oakley Cemetery.

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