Curtis Buxton Obituary

Curtis Dean Buxton passed away on November 2, 2025 in Missoula, Montana. He was born in 1929 to Lester and Dena Buxton in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and was the youngest of 4 siblings that have predeceased him.

He grew up in his family home in Sioux Falls along with an aunt and uncle and cousins that lived next door. Dad used to share stories of how he loved to sit and read the funny books at the corner drug store so the owner put him to work sweeping floors in return for a soda or coke float. As he got older he helped the ladies carry their groceries home, stocked shelves and later moved on to pumping gas at the local station.

When his father passed away, the family moved to California where his oldest sister was living. It was here in his early 20's that dad learned drafting and got his first job as a draftsman. His proudest moment was when he worked in aerospace and helped design the ground support equipment for the Atlas missle. He said the days weren't long enough... he loved it that much.

Dad joined the US Army during the Korean war and was stationed in Alaska with the 10th Mountain Division. It was in Anchorage that his two daughters, Melinda and Venetia were born. Many stories were shared about being stationed in Anchorage with the most famous being when a moose butted the side of their small house and that it was so cold mom lived in the kitchen by the oven.

Dad loved sports growing up and tried them all. He owned a billiard room in Los Angeles where he had the honor of playing Willie Masconi.

Dad loved to play golf, listen to jazz, and watch the Seattle Mariners and Oregon Ducks.

Dad's career included getting his realtors license in Oregon where he was an associate broker with Curtis Irving Realty. He also earned the top salesman award in 1978. After a while, he moved back to California and went into aerospace again where he was an engineer for Systems Services and Talos Industries. He later retired from Garret Airesearch Manufacturing as a buyer.

After retirement, dad enjoyed spending time tinkering around his home, working on his classic car (a 1972 Ford GranTorino), and watching sports and politics.

He will be missed by his 3 daughters; Melinda and son-in-law Len Leibinger, Venetia Buxton, and Patty Dakides. Also, his granddaughter Megan Murray and her husband Justin and great grandchildren Hazel and Warren. And a second granddaughter Tara Dakides and her husband Jake Zamansky and great grandchildren Meadow and Bowie. His grandson, Chason Curtis, son to Venetia, predeceased him in 2010. Curt's prior marriages have predeceased him.