Kay County OK Obit for: J. Curtis Starr 
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Submitted to the archives by:Bill Cook, billcook44@aol.com
Date submitted: 2/16/2003 
Transcribed from the Ponca City News, http://www.poncacitynews.com/
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J. Curtis Starr 

MT. VERNON, Ill. -- J. Curtis Starr, a pioneer landman, died peacefully 
at his home Nov. 22, 2002, at the age of 99 in Mt. Vernon, Ill. 

Mr. Starr was born Aug. 14, 1903. Curtis was the last of five children 
born to John Nelson and Elizabeth Rosabel (Belle) Starr. 

The Star homestead was in the Cherokee Strip of Oklahoma Territory, 12 miles 
southwest of Tonkawa. 

He was a graduate of Northern Oklahoma Junior College and the University of 
Kansas in 1925. 

Curtis was a tenor in the noted Men's Glee club at KU and a member of the 
Sigmu Nu Fraternity. 

As a weatherman for the Army Air Force, Curtis later became the Acting 
Director of Aeronautics at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va. 

Curtis truly was one of the first landmen in the nation. He never was 
a company landman, but worked as an independent, acquiring oil, gas, coal 
and right-of-way leases on a contract basis in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, 
Kentucky, Montana, North and South Dakota and Texas. 

Curtis was married to Louise Lillard of Wewoka, on June 18, 1942, in Oklahoma C
ity. She passed away on May 6, 1991, after 49 years of marriage. 

Over the years, Curtis has been a member of the KU Alumni Association, 
Sigma Nu Fraternity, Salem Baptist Church, Rotary International, KU Men's 
Glee Club Reunion, the First United Methodist Church Choir, Tri-State 
Association of Professional Landmen, American Association of Professional 
Landmen (formerly American Association of Petroleum Landmen), Masonic Lodge 
No. 31, B.P.O.E. Elks Lodge No. 819, the Guthrie Scottish Rite, and the 
"coffee club" at Bobo's. 

Survivors include a nephew, Keith S. Bennett and wife Bo of Denver, Colo., 
and their family which includes Jeffrey B. Bennett and family of Casper, Wyo., 
Susan M. Bennett of San Diego, Calif., and Mark S. Bennett and family of 
Littleton, Colo.; a niece, Carolyn F. Dutzi and family of Kona, Hawaii, Adele 
H. Bennett of Houston, Texas, the wife of nephew Owen B. Bennett, deceased, 
and their family which include Curtis O. Bennett and family of Katy, Texas, 
Elizabeth A. Mertz and family of College Station, Texas, Paul L. Bennett and 
family of New York City, and Marilyn Bennett Alexander of Chicago, Ill. 

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers 
Victor and Fred and sisters Nelsie Juanita Bennett and Edna Fargo. 

Funeral services were scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday at the Hughey Funeral Home 
with Rev. Ken Dean officiating. Graveside services will be held at the IOOF 
Cemetery, Tonkawa, on Tuesday, Nov. 26 at 10 a.m. with Rev. Paul Calkin of the 
Tonkawa First United Methodist Church officiating. 

Memorials in his memory may be made to the St. Mary's Good Samaritan Hospice 
Program or to the First United Methodist Church in Mt. Vernon, Ill., or to the 
IOOF Lodge No. 82 Cemetery. Memorials will be accepted at the funeral home or
mailed to 400 E. Grand, Tonkawa, OK 74653. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of McCafferty-Bolick-Green 
Funeral Home of Tonkawa. 

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Published Sunday, November 24, 2002

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copyright USGenwb 2003 Ponca City News, http://www.poncacitynews.com/
http://www.usgwarchives.net/
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