Elder LeGrand Raine Curtis, Sr., who served as a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy, died Sunday, Dec. 19, at an assisted living center in Cottonwood Heights, Utah. He was 86 years old.
Elder Curtis was sustained to the Second Quorum of the Seventy on April 1, 1990, and released Aug. 15, 1995. He also served as president of the Jordan River Utah Temple from 1996 to 1999 and as president of the Florida Tallahassee Mission from 1978 to 1981.
The youngest of 10 children of Alexander and Genevieve Raine Curtis, he was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on May 22, 1924. After graduating from high school, he attended the University of Utah and served two years in the army as he enrolled in dental school. He married Patricia Glade in the Salt Lake Temple on June 1, 1944. In 1946 he graduated from dental school and fulfilled his military obligation by serving as a lieutenant and dentist in the navy. Elder Curtis nurtured a thriving orthodontist practice until he was called as a mission president in 1978.
Elder Curtis showed the prominent role the Church played in his life through his steady, devoted service. His wife, Patricia, said of her husband in an Ensign article published after his call to the Seventy, "He has great enthusiasm for the gospel. He loves to see people improve their lives and do better."
His early Church callings include branch president and bishop. His service continued throughout the years to include stake president, regional representative, counselor in the General Presidency Aaronic Priesthood - MIA (now called Young Men), mission president, patriarch, temple sealer, Seventy and temple president.
Elder Curtis is survived by his wife, Patricia, eight children, 36 grandchildren and 54 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Monday, Dec. 27, 2010, at 11 a.m. at the Salt Lake Holladay North Stake Center, 4395 S. Albright Drive, Holladay, Utah.
