He then joined the United States Army during World War II through which he began his studies in dentistry.

On June 1, 1944 Curtis married Patricia Glade, who he had known since junior high school, in the Salt Lake Temple.

Patricia was the daughter of Salt Lake radio pioneer and politician Earl J. Glade and his wife, Sarah Elizabeth R.

After his marriage, Curtis lived in Kansas City, Missouri, Corpus Christi, Texas and Norfolk, Virginia.

After being released as a general authority, Curtis served as president of the Jordan River Utah Temple from 1996 to 1999.