Neal-Tarpley Parchman Funeral Home Reporting
news@clarksvillenow.com
Benjamin “Leigh” Curtis, age 31, of Clarksville, TN, died Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at Alive Hospice, in Nashville.
He was born in Fayetteville, AR to Billy Duane Curtis and Jennifer Lynn Rogers Prophet.
Leigh was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Infantry after graduating from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice in May 2004. Curtis’ first assignment was to the 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division at Fort Polk, Louisiana. He served as a Platoon Leader and Executive Officer, and deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom while serving with 4th Brigade, 10th Mountain Division. CPT Curtis was then selected to attend the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2008, and graduated in 2010. CPT Curtis was then assigned to Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) where he served as an Executive Officer and Detachment Commander. CPT Curtis deployed to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn while assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group.
CPT Curtis’ military education includes the US Army Airborne School, US Army Air Assault School, Infantry Officer Basic Course, the Mechanized Leader’s Course, the Pathfinder Course, the Maneuver Captain’s Career Course, Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape Course, the Special Forces Qualification Course, and the Jumpmaster Course.
CPT Curtis’ awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal with three oak leave clusters, the Valorous Unit Award, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign medal with one campaign star, the Iraq Campaign medal with three campaign stars, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Air Assault Badge, the Basic Parachutist Badge, the Expert Infantryman’s Badge, the Pathfinder Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 7, at the chapel of Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home, with Chaplains Mark Miller and Eric Miller officiating. Visitation will be from noon until the hour of service Saturday at the funeral home. His remains are to be interred at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, VA.
Leigh is survived by his wife, Amy Tindell Curtis; parents, Billy Duane (Peggy) Curtis and Jennifer Rogers (Ronnie) Prophet; father-in-law, Gene Tindell; mother-in-law, Frances Tindell; two brothers, Cory (Stephanie) Curtis, of Jacksonville, FL and Mark (Shelly) Curtis, of Pearidge, AR; brother-in-law, Clint Tindell; two nephews, Mason Curtis and Ethan Curtis; and one niece, Lilly Curtis.
Leigh was preceded in death by his grandparents, W.J. and Geraldine Rogers, and Bennie and Virginia Curtis; three aunts; and two uncles.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, P.O. Box 89367, Tampa, FL 33689, or to The National Foundation for Transplants, 5350 Poplar Avenue, Suite 430, Memphis, TN 38119.
Arrangements entrusted to Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home, 1510 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN 37040; (931) 645-6488.
Online condolences may be made at www.neal-tarpley.com.