Curtis P. Ireland, Lt. Col, USAF, Ret.

Curtis P. Ireland, Lt. Col., USAF, Ret. ROSWELL, GEORGIA – Curtis Parker Ireland passed away on December 27, 2022, at Oak Leaf Manor, following several months of declining health. Born December 18, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia, he moved to Savannah when he was 6 years old. He started school at Waters Avenue Elementary and graduated from Savannah High School in 1948. He received a B.S. degree from Clemson University in 1953, along with a 2nd Lt. commission in the US Air Force. He started his active-duty Air Force career in November of 1953 and served for 21 years, including two tours of duty in Vietnam, retiring in 1974 as a Lt. Colonel. He flew 15 different types of aircraft, including F-4 Phantoms, KC-97 refueling tankers and B-52 bombers. He was also an instructor pilot and flight examiner. He served in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970 as Flight Commander with the 366th Fighter Wing at Da Nang Air Base and flew 125 combat missions in F-4 aircraft. He served a second tour at Guam Air Base in 1972 as Commander of the 386th Bomb Squadron, flying combat missions in B-52s. He received numerous awards and decorations during his career and was proud to serve his country. Curtis married Anne Quillian of Savannah in 1952, and they were blessed with two daughters and two sons. Curtis’ military career took them to many locations in the US, including Laredo TX, Bangor ME, Victorville CA, Warner Robins, GA, Albany GA, Denver, Phoenix, and Fort Walton Beach FL. (His children still talk about those long cross-country trips, to move or return for visits, with kids, luggage and the family dog all piled in the car!) They retired to Ft. Walton Beach in 1974. Curtis’ faith has always been a cornerstone in his life, and after retirement, he became an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church, serving a small congregation in northwest Florida. He also had the honor of officiating in the wedding ceremony of his son Curt in 1985. He remained active in the Methodist church all his life, leading Sunday School classes, serving on boards and committees, volunteering in mentoring programs, and leading a Stephen ministry program. In 1986, Curtis returned to his “hometown” of Savannah and married Bette Ryle. They moved to The Landings on Skidaway Island, where they lived until 2019. They joined Skidaway United Methodist Church, and Curtis remained very active in many roles until health issues intervened. Surviving Curtis are his children, Deborah (Debbie) Thomas of Leesburg, FL, Lynn Leitson (David) of Roswell, GA, Curtis (Curt) Ireland Jr. (Gayle) of Charlotte, NC and Michael (Mike) Ireland of Brooklyn, NY. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren who were all very special to him, and by Bette’s children, Tommy Ryle, Jr. and Kathryn Ryle Swift. He was preceded in death by his wife Bette Bazemore Ireland, and by his first wife and mother of his children, Anne Combs. A private graveside service and interment will be held in the Greenwich Section of Bonaventure Cemetery at a future date. The family would like to thank Danielle, Deshay and the staff at Abundance Care LLC for the home care they provided to Curtis and Bette from 2020 – 2022 in Pooler, GA. We also thank Lisa South and her staff at Oak Leaf Manor, and the hospice team at Trinity Hospice in Roswell, GA for the loving care they provided our father in his last weeks and days.

Curtis P. Ireland, Lt. Col, USAF, Ret.

December 18, 1929 - December 27, 2022