Colonel Gerald D. Curbow passed away on December 4, 2023, at the age of 88.  Gerald lived at his residence near Blue Eye, Missouri since retirement from the Army in 1985.  He was born in 1935 in Ridgedale, Missouri, the oldest son of Tommy and Goldia Curbow.  He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Barbara, his younger brother, Stanton Curbow of Springfield, two sons, Kevin of St. Louis, Missouri and Keith of Ozark, Missouri, and one granddaughter, Caitlin of Ozark, Missouri.

Gerald’s early education consisted of eight years in a one room schoolhouse in Ridgedale.  He was the first of his family to graduate college, earning his degree from Southwest Missouri State University in 1957. Following graduation, he was commissioned into the US Army as a Second Lieutenant.  He spent 30 years in the army and attained the rank of Colonel. His military career included assignments all over the world including one year in Vietnam. Gerald received a Purple Heart in Vietnam, was awarded the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara for his service, leadership, and dedication to the Army Field Artillery, the Legion of Merit, and numerous awards and decorations.

A lifelong lover of sports, Gerald was known in his youth as “Lefty Curbow”, where his Southpaw Curveball was notoriously difficult to hit.  He developed knee problems early in his army career, and while his activity and mobility were limited, sports were always a passion, from coaching his son Kevin’s baseball team to cheering on and watching his favorite teams: the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Chiefs.  Gerald and Barabara were also dedicated fans of College of the Ozarks Basketball, rarely missing a game.  Gerald loved his family, his church and the Ozark Hills where he was born and where he and Barbara built their dream home.  He loved spending time on Lake Taneycomo and Table Rock Lake. In college, Gerald spent his summers working to help create the dam which formed both lakes. He loved fishing or relaxing in a quiet cove with family and friends.

Following his Army career, Gerald and his son Keith appraised commercial and residential real estate in the Branson Area.  Locals in the community fondly referred to him simply as “The Colonel”.  He served on the Western Taney County Fire District Board, and was a member of the Branson Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rites Temple, and the Shriners of Branson.

The Visitation will be at Green Lawn Funeral Home in Branson on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 from 4:00 until 6:00 PM. The funeral service will be held at Open Doors United Methodist Church, at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 and he will be interred at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield MO. with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Open Doors United Methodist Church, 6238 E. State Highway 86 Blue Eye, MO 65611.