James Curtner, 78 of Live Oak, Florida, formerly of Taylorville, died at 10:35 p.m. on March 28, 2021 at Haven Hospice in Lake City, Florida, after a courageous fight with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, due to Agent Orange. He was born on March 2, 1943 in Sikeston, Missouri, the son of James “Don” Curtner, Sr and Mildred (Jenkens) Curtner. He was a 1961 graduate of Mt. Auburn high School. After graduation, he entered the US Navy. He spent 25 years in the Navy and retired as a Chief Radioman. He was a Bluewater Navy Veteran out of the Vietnam War. After retiring from the Navy, he worked for 20 years at Lakeshore Golf Course in Taylorville. His last retirement was top Florida where he worked as a campground volunteer at Osceola National Forest. He received an award for 2,000 hours of volunteer service.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Darlene Webster. He is survived by his wife, Bonita, of Live Oak, that he lovingly called his “beautiful bride”, and his children: Zaron Curtner and Shellie Rose, of Woodbine, Kentucky, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, Andy (Donna), of Rochester and a sister, Sandy (Ken) Corby of Rochester, New York, several nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews, as well as cousins.

Jim was cremated and a graveside service will be held at a later date at Old Stonington Cemetery. McClure Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Taylorville is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories of Jim, or condolences to his family, may be shared online at www.mcclurefuneralhome.com.