Granberry

Curtis Eugene Granberry (6.30.37-8.14.26), son of R.C. and Imogene Granberry, was a man who valued family, friendship, and service. Curt and his brother Bill grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas. After graduating from W. B. Ray High School—where he proudly served as a cheerleader, Curt attended The University of Texas at Austin. While at UT, Curt married Jan James—the girl with whom he attended his first formal dance in junior high school. Curt and Jan had four children: Jenny, Judy, Jim, and Jeff. Curt spent his professional career with Humble Oil/Exxon. A petroleum engineer by trade, Curt loved order and rules and rationality; but he was also a philosophical soul—always seeking to emulate Cicero by living life well and by “do[ing] [his] best to discharge the duties of [his] station.”

Curt spent innumerable hours with his young children: splashing in a plastic pool on the driveway in Tomball, at the Olympic pool in Baytown, in the motel “club” pool in Richmond, and in the waves on Bolivar. He taught them how to swim, how to use a seining net, and how to build sand castles; he taught them how to throw a football, how to throw and hit a baseball, how to mow a yard, how to play cards, and how to play a mean game of Monopoly. When they were older, Curt found different ways to spend meaningful time with his kids and with his seven grandkids. He hosted fishing weekends in Rockport, he hosted country visits to George West, he joined the annual White Wing hunting trips, and he spent time with “the boys” at Bill’s country club in Colorado. With his children, Curt went fly-fishing in Montana; he watched Indy 500s from the raucous Turn Three; he caught a Cub’s game in Wrigley Field; he shot aliens at Disneyworld; and he served as a spotter—and enthusiastic eater and drinker—for 24 Hours of Lemon Cajun Coon Ass race team. With his seven grandchildren, Curt proudly attended countless t-ball games, recitals, performances, Indian Princess campouts, birthday parties, and graduation ceremonies.

Like the ancients, Curt believed all men should be active and involved. As a young(ish) man, he volunteered for the Barry Goldwater and the Ron Paul campaigns. Years later, he served as a delegate to the Texas Democratic Convention. He wrote numerous letters to the editor of TheAustin-American Statesman—several of which were published.After retiring from Exxon, Curt and Carolyn Schellhorn, his second wife, moved to Concan, Texas, where—among myriad other adventurous activities— they refurbished, landscaped, and operated a putt-putt course; he also served on the Concan water board. Intending to share his love of nature with his grandchildren, Curt bought land outside of George West where he cleared brush, mowed senderos, mended fences, and refurbished a barn stead. To foster closer relationships with his extended family, Curt planned and hosted two family reunions. Curt deeply valued the time he spent with friends: reminiscing with Tommy Riddick; discussing Deming’s theories with Ashley George at the Triple D; hunting with Pete Mercer or with Kenneth Arthur; playing golf with Ed Heller or James Sears or Mike Muras. Happily, Curt also regarded Jan and Carolyn and his grown children as good friends; spending time with them brought him great joy.

Curt was a voracious reader, devouring histories, historical fictions, mysteries, novels, treatises, and The Austin American-Statesman. He was particularly impacted by reading “Jonathan Livingston Seagull,” “Walden,” “Goodbye to a River” and “On a Life Well Spent.” Curt loved to dance: jitterbugging at SAE parties, two stepping at The Swinging Door, waltzing at Hotel del Coronado and on The Queen Mary. Curt loved hosting: Gourmet Club dinners in Darien, annual Christmas parties in Missouri City, country weekends at El Sitio in George West, and Thanksgiving gatherings in Flatonia. Curt loved cooking for Carolyn; he loved a thoughtful conversation; and he loved a cold beverage and a cigarette at sunset.

Curt was often heard to say, “I’m a lucky man who has been blessed with an extraordinary life.” He will be remembered as an extraordinary man, and we were blessed to love him and to be loved by him. He made a positive difference in the lives of so many people, and he will be missed.