Hewitt Curtis Howard, 89, of Statesville, N.C., passed away unexpectedly on Monday, January 11, 2021, at his home.

Mr. Howard was born August 10, 1931, in the Boissevain community in Tazewell County, Va. He was the son of the late Robert S. and Allie B. Howard. He graduated from Pocahontas High School in Pocahontas, Va., where he excelled at baseball. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he was assigned to the Strategic Air Command, 2nd Bombardment Wing at Hunter Air Force Base in Savannah, Ga., and was later stationed at RAF Upper Heyford during the Korean Conflict, where he served as a medic. He played catcher on the unit baseball team.

Following his honorable discharge from the Air Force, Curtis worked for the Virginian, and later the Norfolk and Western Railways as a brakeman. He attended Roanoke Business College while working, and was later promoted to the N & W Safety Department. He later worked for Kemper / Zurich Insurance as a safety engineer and ergonomics specialist.

Mr. Howard was married for sixty years to the late Margaret S. Howard, who passed away in 2018. A devoted man of God, Curt (also known as Curly) was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, where he served on the church council, taught Sunday school, and played on the church softball team. He was a past member at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Troutman, N.C., where he served as a Sunday School teacher and member of the church council. He also headed up the fundraising committee for the church’s renovation and restoration project. Following his retirement, he served as the Chairman of the Board for the Wayside Volunteer Fire Department for over 20 years. During his tenure with Wayside, he oversaw the construction of a new fire station on Bethesda Road in 2011. In addition, he was an expert gardener, as well as an avid Atlanta Braves fan.

Curtis is survived by one daughter, Lorrie Dollar and husband Nelson of Cary, N.C.; one grandson, Ian Dollar of Cary, N.C., and one brother, L. Dennis Howard. He has numerous cousins, nieces and nephews who are also left cherish his memory.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you consider memorials to St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1950 Salisbury Highway, Statesville, NC 28677 or Wayside Volunteer Fire Department, 234 Bethesda Road, Statesville, NC 28677.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.troutmanfuneralhome.com.

Troutman Funeral Home is serving the family.