Keith Leroy Curley 83, of Cotter, Arkansas, passed away Saturday, March 24, 2018 after a long illness. Keith, (the 2 ^nd born of 16 children) was born July 15, 1934 in Hale, Iowa, the son of Raymond and Anna (Leslie) Curley. He attended country school outside of Hale until the family moved to a farm near Clarence, Iowa. He attended Clarence public schools through the eighth grade.  On June 5, 1956, Keith enlisted in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged on June 27, 1962.  He first married Betsy A. Marecek in New York in 1957 and then married Janice Kuehn in 1973.

"Curley" as most of his friends knew him, was a painter by trade, starting with water towers and eventually operating his own contractor painting business climbing ladders into his 80's.   During his life journey and adventures, he worked in the fur business with his brothers before moving to Arkansas.  Once soulfully connected to the White River, Curley could be found on many weekends cooking shore lunches for guided fishing trips or fishing himself. He taught his family and grandchildren how to navigate the river and surrounding lakes and how to appreciate the beauty and bounty of both.

As a child, Keith worked hard in his immense family garden.  Strawberries were the specialty.  This green thumb and hard work ethic carried on through his life and created new acquaintances wherever he went. As each new garden season produced vegetables, friends, neighbors, and towns people also enjoyed the abundance.  Keith's kitchen was full of canning jars, just waiting the beauty they would hold throughout the winter.  His handmade canning shelves were filled with a rainbow of color at the end of each season and they were shared with visitors and friends each day.  His culinary creativity dabbled in wine making and his special flavors enticed your taste buds with each sip. Another gift to share with the many friends he made throughout his life.

Mr. Curley is survived by his five children, Nanette (Gary) Bolar, Beloit, WI; Brian (Sarah) Curley, Beloit, WI; Ed (Caroline) Curley, Davenport, IA; Yvonne (Bruce)  Bright, Lowden, IA; and Yvette (Todd) Bonny, Janesville, WI and his siblings, Beverly Yarolem, Monmouth; Margie Taylor, Arkansas; Elizabeth (Caylop) Minchew, Alabama; Larry (Marlene) Curley, Oxford Mills; Lyle (Gwen) Curley, Alabama; Wayne (Loretta) Curley, California; twins, Danny (Kathy) Curley, Clarence and Dennis (Diane) Curley, Arkansas; Rex Curley, Arkansas; Peggy (Chuck) Wolfe, Dixon; Bonnie Kuehl, Walcott; and Mary Score, Marion; 7  grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 2 brothers, Raymond Jr.; and Arnold; a sister Marsha; and daughter Misty.

Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, March 29, 2018 at the VFW Lodge, 1779 Harding Ave, Cotter, AR 72626; the family will receive friends from 5:30-7:30PM and everyone is invited to attend and share your memories of Keith.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you plant a flower or visit a local farmer's market!

Arrangements under the direction of Coffman Funeral Home of Harrison.  On-line condolences may be left at www.coffmanfh.com .

The kiss of the sun for pardon,
The song of the birds for mirth,
One is nearer God's heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on earth.
~Dorothy Frances Gurney, "Garden Thoughts"