Nicky Don Curtis, 82, died Friday June 28th in the Woodlands, TX with his family by his side.  Nick was born on September 25th, 1941 in Granite, OK.  He attended the nearby Lake Creek Schools until 1956, when he then moved to Mangum, OK.  Nick graduated from Mangum High School in 1959. Nick was an accomplished multi-sport athlete.  He was the starting pitcher for the State Champion Baseball team in 1959, and was a starter on the Basketball team his 3 years in Mangum. Upon graduation, Nick was offered a scholarship to attend Oklahoma State University to play baseball. Nick was signed by the Kansas City A's in 1961.  Shortly thereafter, he married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn McCollum, on December 2nd, 1962.  The A's were bought by Charles Finley who moved the team to Oakland in 1961. Nick attended training camp with the A's and played AAA/AA ball with them for 8 years. Nick retired from Baseball in 1969 and signed a contract as a licensed Agent with Modern Woodmen of America (MWA), a life insurance company. His position moved him to Amarillo, TX where he became a Supervisor in 1972. Nick was promoted to manager and moved his family to Spring, TX in 1976.  Nick retired in 2010 after 40 years with MWA, ending an exciting career that afforded many opportunities for advancement and travel.  Many of Nick and Carolyn's favorite memories were corporate trips to Hawaii and various European countries.

Nick was an avid outdoorsman who was eager to hunt, golf, and fish. The highlight of his year was time spent in Port Aransas, TX fishing with his cousin Mack Tubb of Spring TX and his cousins Joe and Dick Tubb of Levelland, TX.  Nick became an accomplished golfer as a long-time member of Woodforest Golf Club in nearby Montgomery TX, where he cultivated many special friendships. Nick and his cousins were avid golfers, and would often compete in the annual Gano Tubb Memorial Golf Tournament in Levelland. His cousins were always part of his most special memories.  Nick will be remembered by all for his outgoing personality, his encouraging words, his fiery spirit, his countless stories, and most importantly—the love he had for his family.

Nick is survived by his wife Carolyn Curtis; his daughter Kyndal and husband Doug Knapik; daughter Nicole Harrison and her husband Tim Harrison; grandchildren Drake and Ashley Knapik; Regan and Nicole Knapik; Kash and Mia Knapik; and Hank Harrison; great grandchildren Ryann, Hayden, Finley and soon to arrive Bella; his sister Martha Wooldridge and husband Bob Wooldridge; his sister-in-law Mel Curtis and numerous nieces, nephews, special cousins, and friends.

Nick was preceded in death by his parents Evelyn and John Curtis of Mangum OK and his brother David Curtis of Dallas, TX.

Funeral services will be held July 12th at 1pm in the Robb Chapel at The Woodlands Methodist Church, 2200 Lake Woodlands Drive, The Woodlands, TX  77380.  A short reception will follow.