Curtis Lee Outen

Curtis L. Outen, 102, of Charlotte, died on Sunday, February 18, 2024. Through the blessing of Novant Hospice, he was able to be at home and died with his brother, his caregiver and other friends by his side. Curtis was born in Pageland on September 16, 1921, the son of Walter and Wrine Anderson Outen. He grew up in Pageland, one of nine children. With the outbreak of World War II, the United States instituted the draft and Curtis was inducted into the US Army on 16 Sept 1942. He entered service at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, as an Infantryman and later became a Military Policeman. He earned his Combat Infantry Badge and trained at Camp Bullis and Fort Sam Houston in Texas and Fort McCoy in Wisconsin. His training behind him, Curtis was sent to Camp Shanks in New York. This became the jump off point for a massive convoy heading across the Atlantic in a military exercise which came to be known as Operation Overlord, the D-Day Invasion of Normandy. Curtis’ regiment was transferred from 2nd Division to 1st Army, and as such, he was able to see and serve under the leadership of not one, not two, but three great generals: General Dwight D. Eisenhower, General Omar Bradley, and General George Patton. The regiment Curtis was part of was the second wave of servicemen to arrive on the shores of Normandy, Hit in the back of his pants by shrapnel and lacerated by barbwire while on shore, Curtis survived and stayed in Normandy for 5 months, participating in 3 major battles. During those 5 months, his regiment was replaced 7 times due to casualties and wounded men. His eardrums were blown out by mortar fire and Curtis was transferred to the MP Batallion. While in service, he earned the Combat Action Ribbon, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign, the Normandy Campaign, the Northern France Campaign, the Rhineland Campaign, the American Defense Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, a Purple Heart and the Jubilee of Liberty (D-Day) Medal. Curtis was subsequently honorably discharged on 13 Dec 1945. Curtis returned to Charlotte and met Ms. Billie Griffin in 1946. They were married in 1947 and they bought the first house in the neighborhood on Richland Drive in 1948. Curtis worked for Charlotte Transit / Duke Power as a bus driver for 39 years, Duke Power ran the bus service before it became Charlotte Transit, and he retired in 1987 after 39 years. When not working, he enjoyed boating at Lake Norman with his brothers, Bill and Joel, and he tended to his vegetable garden. A faithful husband, he cared for Ms. Bille for 17 years as she underwent her dialysis treatments before her passing. A true Panther’s fan, he was honored at a recent game when he was the oldest of three WWII vets (ages 100, 101 and 102) respectively. Curtis was also a faithful member of his church, Craig Avenue Presbyterian, later becoming Kings Cross. Curtis is survived by his sons: Donny (his caregiver, Dixie) Outen, Gary (wife Alma) Outen; his daughters, Pat (husband Don) Harris and Linda (husband Frank Dix) Whisler; his six grandchildren: Chris Outen, John Paul Outen, Nikki Outen, Bryan Harris, Brad Harris, and Michelle Whisler; his sister, Betty O. Taylor; his brother, Joel (wife Ruby) Outen; and his longtime friend and caregiver, Lucy Gentile. Curtis is further survived by numerous great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, six siblings, and his wife Billie in 2003. In honor of the love and care shown to Curtis, his family would like to express heartfelt thanks to the staff and team of Novant Hospice as well as the Veteran’s Administration. Curtis’s family has given the family of Lowe-Neddo Funeral Home the privilege of caring for him and for them. A service will be held in the funeral home chapel, 4715 Margaret Wallace Road, Matthews, NC 28105, on Monday, February 26, at 1 pm with visitation from noon until the time of service. Curtis will then be taken in formal procession to Sharon Memorial Park where he will be laid to rest with military honors.

Curtis Lee Outen

September 16, 1921 - February 18, 2024