Retired Maj. Curtis Lee Heldreth, 75, passed away July 30, 2023, in Fayetteville, N.C., after an extended illness. Born and raised in Clarksburg, West Virginia, he was the oldest of five children born to the late Walter Heldreth, a two-time Purple Heart recipient in World War II, and Jeneva Ruth Rogers.
Curt was a graduate of Washington Irving High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree at West Virginia University and a master’s degree at Boston College.
He was inducted into the Army after ROTC as a second lieutenant and was stationed at various Army bases including five years in Germany. He retired as a major. Curt was a Civil War buff and re-enactor.
After the Army, he taught computers at various universities and colleges. The job he was most passionate about was director of technology for Morgan County, West Virginia, Schools. He loved teaching computer science to high school students. For his efforts, he was appointed to the West Virginia Governor’s Advisory Council on Education Technology by then-first lady Gayle Manchin.
He and Mary retired and moved to the RV Park and Military Campground at Onslow Beach, part of Camp Lejeune, N.C. He was one of the camp hosts.
Along with his wife, Mary, he is survived by two daughters, Brittney King (Matt) and Malissa; stepdaughter Melody; stepson Matthew; five grandchildren; three sisters, Betty Jurick (Mike Sr.), Carol Harold, and Mary Frazee (Rodney); and his beagle named Buddy and Sadie, his other dog. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, World War I veteran Curtis R. and Manilla Heldreth; maternal grandparents, Curtis and Thelma Rogers; sister, Constance Heldreth McCartney; and brother-in-law, Roger Harold; and the many dogs and cats he had throughout his life, especially beagles.
A private interment will be held at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery. On Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023, a visitation will be held at 12:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 102 Ann St., Fayetteville, where Curt is a member. The service will follow at 1:30 pm in the chapel at First Presbyterian. The service will be live-streamed on the church’s website.
Honorary pallbearers for the service will be Michael A. Jurick Jr., Samuel King, Matthew Evans, Courtney Walters, Adam Farnham, Reese Farnham and Callen Farnham.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 102 Ann St., Fayetteville, NC 28301 or PO Box 569, Fayetteville, NC 28302.