Thomas Alton Curtsinger

Thomas Alton Curtsinger, Sr., 96, of Owensboro passed away peacefully on November 12th, 2017 at his residence at The Carmel Home, with his beloved wife Rose and by his side. Born to Graves County sharecroppers Luke and Mary Ella Burshears Curtsinger on September 17, 1921, he grew up as farmboy "Alton," with three brothers and two sisters, all of whom have preceded him in death. Active as a youth in Fancy Farm, KY's 4-H and Future Farmers of America, Curtsinger earned recognition at fourteen as a budding public speaker. With WWII "Tom" served as an Air Force radio operator, flying supplies over "The Hump"—the Himalayas bordering Burma/China. Postwar, Tom earned his B.S. in agriculture at UK, and fifteen years later commuted there for his M.S. in dairy, while he and Rose were raising five young children and he was working as the 4-H Agent in Springfield, KY. In 1968 Tom and Rose moved their family to Owensboro to accept his position as Daviess County Extension Agent. They have since been faithful members of the Catholic Church of the Immaculate, and are proud recipients of the Rural Life Award. Tom loved every day of his work with the farm families of Daviess County. Long after retirement (1990) he was a dedicated member of the Daviess County Lions Club, helping every year to put on the county fair. His dedication also extended to Kentucky Farm Bureau, Knights of Columbus, Pork Producers, and many other community and agriculture related interest.

Surviving are his wife of 63 years, Rose L. Curtsinger; five children: Pam Passburg (Jim) of Montpelier, VT; Sister Mary Jo Curtsinger, CSJ of Chicago; Beverly Payne (Steve) of Owensboro; Tom Curtsinger, Jr. (Roberta Felker) of Fancy Farm; and Trish Colmenares of Clemson, SC; ten grandchildren: Elizabeth Payne Eaves, Aaron Payne, Zach Payne, Josh Passburg, Thomas Passburg, Alec Curtsinger (Hailey), Brian Curtsinger (Shawnda) , Thomas Alton "Trey" Curtsinger, III, Adam Curtsinger (Shayna), and Ella Colmenares; and four great-grandchildren: Stephen Eaves, William Eaves, Audrey Clark and Adley Curtsinger .
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to The Carmel Home, Daviess County Lions Club, Catholic Church of the Immaculate, or the choice of the donor. A man of many hats, Tom's hat collection will be on display during visitation for those seeking inspiration on which organization they may wish to donate.

The Funeral Mass will be 11am Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at The Catholic Church of the Immaculate with Father Tony Jones officiating. Visitation will start 3:30 pm on Tuesday at the Church and will conclude with prayers at 6:30 pm. There will be visitation before the Mass on Wednesday starting at 9:00 am at the Church. Burial will follow at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery.