Ben Lee Curtis

Ben Lee Curtis passed from this life into the presence of Our Lord, the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ, on May 14, 2017 in Temple, Texas. Ben was born on August 15, 1952 in Belton, the third son of Lee and Blanche Curtis, both of whom predeceased him in 1979. He attended the Belton public schools, graduating from Belton High School in 1971, and subsequently graduated from American Technological University in Killeen. Ben was employed by the City of Temple for over fifteen years, from 1981 onward, and served primarily as a dispatcher at the Temple Fire Department. Subsequently, he worked as an ambulance dispatcher at Scott and White Hospital. He was also a member of the Belton Volunteer Fire Dept. for many years.


During his years as a fire department dispatcher, he received several awards recognizing his service and dedication to the fire service, and the men and women with whom he served. In 1987, he was honored by the Temple Chamber of Commerce with the Silver Badge Award for "dedication and outstanding service to the community". In 1990-91, he was named Fireman of the Year by the Belton Area Chamber of Commerce. In 1994, the Bell County Fire Chiefs Assoc. named him Fire Dispatcher of the year.

Ben was a dedicated, loving individual who had many friends, and his family and friends will miss him very much. He is survived by his brothers, Thomas Lon Curtis and his wife Cathy of Round Rock, and Roy Russell Curtis and his wife Cheryl of Georgetown, and a nephew, Matthew Lee Curtis and his wife Sarah, of Austin, and their daughter, Summer Lee.

A memorial service in remembrance of Ben's life and contributions to the community will be held at 2pm Wednesday, May 17th at Dossman Funeral Home in Belton. Interment will be at a later date at North Belton Cemetery. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Ben make a donation in his memory to the Jack and Wanda Weinblatt Scholarship Fund at Temple College, 19 North Main, Temple, Texas 76501. This scholarship fund was established by the Weinblatts for the benefit of City of Temple Firefighters and their families. Students may use the funds for tuition, fees, and books.