Alton Burkett Curtis

September 21, 1950 – September 26, 2026

Alton Burkett Curtis, 76, of Goliad entered into the arms of his Savior on Saturday, September 26, 2026. His memorial service will be October 25, 2026, 2:00 p.m. at the Goliad Church of Christ.

Burkett was born and raised in Goliad, Texas. He was a Vietnam Veteran who proudly served in the US Army from 1970-1976. He graduated from Texas A & I Kingsville with a Bachelor of Business degree in 1975. While in South Texas, he learned the Mexican import business at his job with Tex Mex Imports from 1978-1981. He started his own Mexican souvenir import business, El Paso Onyx Co. in El Paso, TX in 1981 and continued there for 20 years. He moved back to Goliad in 2001 to be a loving caregiver to his mother. His hobby was collecting life-long friends. However; towards the very end of his life, the hospice nurse asked him of his hobbies, with a smile and a twinkle in his eyes, he quickly responded, “Work!” Everybody who knew Burkett knew this was true. Throughout his life, he was his happiest when working, spurred by his God driven entrepreneurial spirit. As a little boy, he set up lemonade stands outside of his dad’s places of employment at Goliad’s Curtis Texaco station and later the Goliad Grain Elevator. He also had his regular customer clientele for lawnmowing in town. As he became a teenager, he bought his own fireworks stand and had a loyal clientele every Independence Day and New Years Day. He also tended to every vending machine in Goliad. But perhaps what he was most well-known for during his teenage years was his successful concession stands. At the Goliad Country Fair and every GHS sporting event, it didn’t matter which club was sponsoring the concession stand, Burkett was brought in to negotiate pricing with all the vendors. He even had the business savvy to get them to throw in the ‘delivery’ of ice for free. He was born a natural salesman. He was very modest about his career, but his friendly salesman personality was evident as every nurse he had this past year guessed quickly upon getting to know him that he had made his career as a salesman. The nurses in the hospital actually had ‘discussions’ on who would get assigned to Mr. Curtis. He was a favorite.

Another achievement is his Eagle Scout accomplishment. He loved boy scouts as much as he loved working. He went on many boy scout trips during his boy scout era. He also was a very devoted member of the Goliad Church of Christ, in which he would often fill in for the preacher when needed. His unwavering Christian faith was evident. With strong conviction, he continued to proclaim, "I have had such a blessed life!”

Burkett was preceded in death by his father, Alton F. Curtis; mother, Juanelle “Nelle” Burkett Curtis; and brother, Jerry G. Curtis.

Burkett is survived by his two sisters, Claye & Lorrie Curtis; two nephews, Layton & Sterling Brooker; great niece, Sable Brooker; favorite Curtis's cousin, Joe David Sullivan; favorite Burkett cousin, Sharon Burkett Fleming; numerous more loving cousins, and countless friends who he extended generous hospitality to without hesitation.

Burkett was blessed with his long-time best friend, James Throckmorton, who without fail made it to every important Dr. appointment with him. His devoted caregiver for over a year, Penny Wedel, was truly a Godsend. She was clearly an angel during Burkett’s last year through the highs and lows. His caregiver, John Edison, proved to be exactly what Burkett needed towards the end, with their special bond of John bringing singing and laughter into Burkett’s last couple of months. Burkett wasn’t one to sing, but John brought it out in him.

Please come October 25th prepared to share a memory and wear blue to honor Burkett’s memory.

Memorials may be made in Burkett’s name to the Goliad Church of Christ.