Ferril Curtis Elder

F. Curtis Elder, 93 of Torrance, California was born on May 26th, 1928, in San Angelo, Texas. Our Hero departed on May 23rd, 2022, and was preceded in death by his wife, Martha.
Curtis spent his youth in Texas until his family relocated to San Pedro where he graduated from San Pedro High in 1945. He enlisted in the Reserve Corps in order to go to college. He was drafted into World War II in August of 1946 where he served for 9 months. The dropping of the atomic bombs ended the fighting, but he was sent to Japan and Korea as part of the Occupation Force. Due to the invasion of South Korea by the Communist, he was redrafted and sent to Korea to fight in 1950 for 21 months. He served with distinction and was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, among many other medals with the 5th Regimental Combat Team out of Honolulu. He eventually ended up in El Centro, California where he met his wife. Together they raised their children, Gary and Lisa. He was employed as an engineer for the USAF near Lancaster and then Garret AiResearch in Torrance. Once retired he cared for and supported family and friends with his generous heart. Besides family, his passions included volunteering as “Scientist on Call” at the local elementary school, mastering ASL, volunteering with the Lomita VFW honor guard, and attending the yearly Veterans’ reunions.
His memory will be forever cherished by his surviving family members. His brother, Warren Elder, his children Gary Elder and Lisa Tallman (Hubert Wedding), and grandchildren Michael Tallman, Amanda and Taylor Pearson, and Louie Tallman and great-grandson Noah Tallman.