Alex Curtis

Alex S. Curtis, Hot Springs Village, Ark. passed away Nov. 16, 2017, at the age of 92. A native of Fayetteville, Ark., Alex was educated in the public school system in Fayetteville and attended The University of Arkansas where he graduated with a degree in electrical engineering. He was a life-long supporter of the Razorbacks and U of A athletics. His studies were interrupted by his military service as a pilot during World War II. Following his service and university graduation, Alex began farming in N.E. Arkansas in 1949. Early in his farming career Alex was so successful that he was selected as one of America's Four Outstanding Young Farmers by the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1956. In 1958, Alex moved his family and his farming business to Mississippi. In addition to his farming, Alex was an entrepreneur, successfully establishing Farmers Grain Terminal 1967, and serving as its President and CEO until retirement. Farmer's Grain Terminal has become the largest grain merchandising company in the South. He also served as President of Choctaw Barges, Inc, Big River Barges, Inc, and Deer Creek Barges, Inc; and, the Rolfes Company. Near the end of his professional career Alex also served as Sr. Vice President of InterAg and as a consultant to Capital Partners Agribusiness. Alex was also a civic and industry leader, serving on numerous boards and councils throughout his life. These included Bank Boards of Directors, Board of Staple Cotton Association, State Farm Bureau, Soil Conservation District, Delta Council, Greenville (MS) Port Commission, Mississippi Soybean Association and Soybean Promotion Board, WXVT (Greenville, MS) Television and National Council of Farmer Cooperatives. He served twice as the President of Greenville (MS) Country Club, Chairman of Committee for Commodity Exchange, Chairman of the Agriculture and Trade Policy Committee of the National Council of Farmers Cooperative and as a member of the National Farm Marketing Roundtable. Alex was an avid fisherman and enjoyed hunting and hiking in the Arkansas Ozarks. Alex is a long time member and active participant in the Christ of the Hills United Methodist Church in Hot Springs Village, Ark. Alex was predeceased by his two brothers, Oscar Curtis and Fred Curtis and by his sister Lucretia Little. He is survived by his wife, Yvonne, son Marc and his wife Sheryl, daughters Kitty and her partner Stu, Susan and her husband Gene and, Mary and her husband Mark, four grandchildren (Stephanie, Niki, Eric and Joshua), and three great-grandchildren (Alex, Brooke and RJ). A celebration of Alex's life will be held Dec. 2, 2 p.m. at Christ of the Hills United Methodist Church, 700 Balearic Rd., Hot Springs Village, Ark., 71909, with Rev. Siegfried Johnson and Rev. Mike Morey officiating. Memorial donations in memory of Alex can be made to Samaritan's Ministry, 131 Sanford St, Hot Springs, Ark., 71901, Christ of the Hills United Methodist Church, Hot Springs Village, Ark., or Arkansas Hospice, 14 Parkstone Circle, North Little, Ark., 72116. Arrangements have been entrusted to CedarVale - The Hot Springs Village Funeral Home. For online condolences please visit www.cedarvalefuneralhome.com.