More detail on this person: CURNUTTE Don Curnutte Jr., 61, passed away on June 28, 2008. He was born in Newport News, Virginia on May 26, 1947. He received his High School Diploma from Florida Military School in 1965 and an Associate of Arts Diploma from St. John's River Community college in 1967. He then joined the Army as a private in 1968. After completing Infantry Officer Candidate School, he was commissioned a 2LT in 1969. Shortly after, he completed the Army Aviation Course and became a helicopter pilot. From 1970 to 1971, he proudly served his country in Vietnam with the 1st Air Calvary. He was promoted to Captain in 1973 and selected for promotion to Major in 1985. He declined that promotion and even chose to revert back to Chief Warrant Officer 2 so he could stay in the service and continue to fly. After 5 years in the Army, he served 29 years in the Florida Army National Guard where he retired as Chief Warrant Officer 4. Among his many decorations, he was awarded the Bronze Star, the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross. In civilian life, he was a commercial helicopter pilot for Life Flight for 10 years. At the time of his death, he was flying personnel to and from oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico for Air Logistics. Don was deeply devoted to his family and friends especially to his son Sean. He was greatly loved by his family and his friends. He immensely enjoyed being in the company of his Band of Brothers - his pilot friends known as Hog Hunters. Professionally, he was well respected by his peers as the greatest pilot in the world and he would be the first to tell you so. He was the kind of man who would give you the shirt off his back and then remind you of that the rest of your life. He was an excellent story teller. No matter how many times you heard a story, it was always fresh and interesting when he told it again and again. He also loved to play golf and ride his Harley motorcycle with the American Legion Riders. He was along standing member of American Legion Post 283 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4351. Don is survived by his parents Don and Pat Curnutte (Fernandina Beach); one son, Sean Curnutte (Jacksonville); two daughters Lori and Christi (Texas); sister, Sylvia Curnutte (Jacksonville); brother, William Curnutte (Jacksonville); and very dear close friend Janie Swearingen (Jacksonville). Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday, July 1, 2008 at Corey-Kerlin Funeral Home, 940 Cesery Blvd. A Funeral Service celebrating his life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, July 2nd, at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 8264 Lone Star Road. Interment will be in Bosque Bello Cemetery, Fernandina Beach with Military Honors at graveside.
Burial information: Bosque Bello Cemetery, Fernandina, FL
This information was last updated 09/29/2017
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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