Obituary of Michael Curtis

William Michael Curtis of El Dorado Hills, Calif., died January 23, 2024, in his home after valiantly fighting skin cancers for many years. He was born November 24, 1942, in Dallas, Texas, the son of William Riley (Bill) Curtis and Lee Booker Curtis.

Mike was raised in Dallas and attended North Texas State University, where he majored in business and played forward on the college basketball team.

Upon graduation in 1967, he joined the Marine Reserves, went to work for the General Electric Corporation (GE), and in 1968 married English teacher Nancy Ann Fry.

After settling in Irving, Texas, Mike’s career in the Lighting Systems Division of GE moved the family to various locations across the country, including Hendersonville, N.C.; Denver, Colo.; Great Falls, Mont.; and Southern Calif. His last assignment before he retired in 2001 was CEO of GE’s new Sports and Stadium Lighting Division in Ft. Worth, Texas. Mike’s thirty-four year career with GE was more than just a job, it was his hobby and the source of great enjoyment.

After retirement, Mike and Nancy moved to the Sacramento area to be near their daughters and grandchildren. He took every opportunity to enjoy being with them and especially loved planning and treating them to an annual family vacation.

Mike devoted himself to serving the Lord. He joined the Gideons International and particularly enjoyed giving Bibles to the homeless. He volunteered in various capacities in the ministry, including a three-year term as president of the local Gideon camp. In addition, he was dedicated to the Foothills Seniors ministry where he acted as director of the leadership team for several years.

Mike is survived by Nancy, his wife fifty-five years; daughters Kimberly Ann Silva and her husband Gary of Folsom, Calif., and Heather-Lynn O’Mara and husband John of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; brother James Curtis of Dallas, Texas; six grandchildren—Gary, Matt, and Leah Silva, and three minor grandchildren—and a host of relatives and friends who will miss him.

Remembering that his career and passion were in lighting, his family finds comfort in knowing that Mike is now with the Light of the world.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, February 10, at 2:00 p.m. at Foothills Church, 2380 Merrychase Dr., Cameron Park, Calif. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Foothills Church, the Gideons International, or Snowline Hospice.