He was born Feb. 23, 1943, in Ontario, Calif., the son of Don and Edith (Stone) Curson. He lived in California until moving to Shawnee in 1962. He married Diana Raney in Manteca, Calif., on Jan. 20, 1962.

He received a bachelor of arts degree from Oklahoma Baptist University and did graduate study at East Central University in Ada. He taught in Tecumseh Public Schools for 28 years, retiring in February 1996. He was a member of Oklahoma and National Education Associations and Tecumseh Association of Classroom Teachers.

Survivors include his wife, Diana Curson, Shawnee; one son, Paul Curson, Long Beach, Calif.; daughter, Kathryn Curson, Shawnee; daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Stephen Nolen, Shawnee; grandson, Austin Nolen, Shawnee; parents, Don and Edith Curson, California, and sister, Janice Settlemoir, Oregon.

His brother, Donnie Curson, preceded him in death.

Services will be 2 p.m. Friday at Resthaven Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Leroy Kerbo officiating. The casket will be open until service time and will not be opened after. Burial will be in Resthaven Memorial Park.