Curtis Harrell

Curtis Bruce Harrell, age 64 passed away on June 8, 2022, at Medicalodges Coffeyville on Midland, in Coffeyville, Kansas.

Curtis was born on May 29, 1958, to Charles “Bruce” and Glenna Lee (Battin) Harrell in Wichita, Kansas. Curtis was the youngest of four children, having three older sisters. You can only imagine what life was like as the only boy with three older sisters.

In 1959 the Harrell family moved to Coffeyville. Curtis’ dad, Bruce started and founded Tri-State Electric Supply. Curtis attended school in Coffeyville graduating from Field Kindley Memorial High School. He attended college in Pittsburgh, KS to learn the electrical business. He began working at the family business as a young boy and continued his lifelong career at Tri-State, retiring in 2020 as a co-owner.

July 7, 1990 was a joyous day— Two lives were joined together as one, when Curtis married the true love of his life, taking Corene Green Thiele as his wife. Together they made their home in Coffeyville raising their two daughters, Sarah, and Kara.

Whether you knew Curtis on a personal level or as a casual business acquaintance, there were a few facts that all can acknowledge were true:  He could always be found sitting at the counter at Tri-State Electric, solving world problems with customers who may or may not be there to purchase anything.   The coffee pot was always on, and the discussions were lively especially about politics. Hopefully, you agreed with all his political views!!  He was always helpful and knowledgeable; he had more knowledge in his head than any computer could have ever told anyone about electrical parts.

Curtis never met a stranger and would stop people in store to smile and talk to babies and small children. Music was always a big part of his life. He and Corene enjoyed attending rock concerts. Once they flew to Dallas just to see Pink Floyd in concert. Making sure the girls were not going to miss an important day in school, they got permission to take the girls out of school and drove to Oklahoma City to attend the “Hell Freezes Over” Eagles concert. Their teachers were just a little jealous they did not get to go too.

Curtis was a member of the First Christian Church of Coffeyville; he was given a badge for greeting by the ladies of the church as “Hug Collector”.  Curtis was also a member of the Keystone Lodge of Coffeyville and the Mirza Shrine chapter of Pittsburg.

Spending time with his family was most important to Curtis, they shared memorable times at the family cabin at Grand Lake and enjoyed exploring Arkansas and Colorado together. Though they loved and cherished every year together, his family will forever be thankful for his choice to lay down his addiction of alcohol and has been sober for the last thirteen years.

Curtis leaves behind his wife Corene of the home; his daughter, Sarah Cabanas of Lawrence, KS, and grandson, Cooper Cabanas; daughter, Kara and her husband Michael Ball of Kansas City, KS, sisters, Kathy and her husband Ron Johnson of Pulman, WA, Debbie and her husband Leo Stevens of Owasso, OK, special cousins, Amy and her husband John Parry, Susan Conner, numerous nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Shelly Kendrick and her husband Mike and his Bassett Hound that was his best four-legged friend, Motley.

Following Curtis’ wishes; cremation will take place under the direction of Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, and the family will hold a private family service. Friends are invited to sign the register on Monday, June 13 and Tuesday June 14, 2022, from 9 to 5 at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland Ave. Coffeyville, KS.  The family has requested memorial contributions be made payable to either Shriners Hospitals for Children or Coffeyville Friends of Animals and contributions may be left in care of the chapel. To share a memory or leave an online condolence visit www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com