CURTIS EUGENE GAITWOOD

Curtis Eugene Gaitwood was born December 19, 1927 in Mobile Alabama, the fourth of seven children born to the late Jackson Joseph Gaitwood and Lora Hagan Gaitwood.  Three brothers and three sisters preceded him in death.  Curtis attended the local schools in Mobile, graduating from Josephine Allen High School.  He accepted Christ at an early age at New Hope Baptist Church in Mobile.

On July 12, 1951, he entered the U.S. Army, the beginning of a 24-year long career of honorable service.  His military career included the following assignments: Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii; Fort Hood, TX; Germany; Viet Nam and Fort Sam Houston Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC), where he spent the majority of his career.  Upon his return from Viet Nam, he was assigned as Senior Instructor, Basic Health Services Division/Academy of Health Sciences at Fort Sam Houston, the position he held until retirement.  After retirement, he enrolled at St. Phillips College for Restaurant Management.  He later worked with the late Joe Aycock Catering Service and enjoyed catering at various venues around the city.

While in the military, he received numerous medals and awards for service including the Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal with four loops, National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

On June 4, 1955, he married Jerlene Cook.  Together they were blessed with two children, Lora Michele and Curtis Jr.

On March 25, 1956, he united with the West End Baptist Church under the late Rev. J.A. Kemple.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 67 years, Jerlene Gaitwood, daughter Lora Gaitwood-Smith (Curtis), son Curtis E. Gaitwood Jr (LaShawnia), grandsons Jerome Joseph Gaitwood (U.S. Navy), Jared Clifton Gaitwood, brothers-in-law Lemuel E. Cook (Gloria) and George E. Cook, two Godsons Carl Stewart Jr of Shreveport, LA, Adrian Taylor of San Antonio, TX, nieces nephews, other relatives and friends.

Out of State Nieces: Shelia Hall (Peter), Sharon Diggs, Aleada Nicholson, Pamela Dewees (Harry)/ Nephew, Darryl Gaitwood