Curtis Arthur Poet Jr.

Curtis Arthur Poet Jr. passed away on Sunday evening, June 16, 2024, at the hospital in St. George, Utah, just after talking with the nurses about his grandkids – he had eight grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and one great - great grandchild. Curtis was born September 15, 1930 in Los Angeles, California to Fern McGinty and Curtis Arthur Poet Sr. Curtis married Billie Mae Hertig on October 15, 1951 and they were, soon after, sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Curtis and Billie had three children, Vicki (Hartvigsen), Scott, and Jodi (Jensen). Curtis was an energetic and productive person, never content to sit around. At age 14, he got his driver's license and quickly purchased a 1935 Chevy. He graduated from Monrovia High School, attended Los Angeles East College and later, Rio Hondo College. At age 16, he (possibly) exaggerated his age and joined the Air National Guard. When he was 18, he worked the graveyard shift for Consolidated Western Steel and remembers taking his breaks sleeping ”quite comfortably in a wheelbarrow with a pile of newspapers for a pillow.” In 1951, his Air National Guard Unit was activated into the US Air Force where he got his wings, became Staff Sergeant and flew as a gunner on a Douglas A-26 Invader. He had many talents and skills and worked as a firefighter, building contractor, masonry contractor, and more. His career with the Los Angeles Fire Department started in 1958 and, after being put on disability, he was discharged in 1983. He remembers one night, while checking hotels for fire prevention compliance, walking into the Hollywood Bowl during a Niel Diamond concert. Though they were in full uniform, the firemen sat down on the first row, right below the drummer, and watched the concert. His grandkids loved to hear about what he did when he was younger and were always impressed by him being a Firefighter for the City of Los Angeles. He enjoyed telling grandkids about working in construction with Harrison Ford in 1972, before Ford’s acting career took off. Curtis was a collector of many tools and if you ever needed to borrow one, he most likely had it. He even had a tractor. He loved to give grandchildren and great-grandchildren tractor rides. He was always willing to help anyone. Curtis was very active in the Church, and served in many callings. He was an excellent home teacher and also served as an Explorer adviser for 8 years in California. Every one of his young men served church missions. He was a stake missionary, temple worker, and he was the stake activity chairman in both his Pasadena stake and Bloomington stake for many years. He is a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend and will be missed by many.