But I would like you all to pay attention to the words of this background song I selected for him. If ever a song was written for someone, this one describes Curt. He's had more luck that he deserves. I said luck. This includes both good and bad. But no matter which it was, and more importantly how much it may have hurt him deep inside, he always presented a happy go lucky demeanor. Take a good look at those eyes again if you will. When I look at them, my eyes tear up. I know the pain this man is hiding, and has been all his life. I know the roads he has traversed. Many a time I was riding right alongside with him.

Where would I have been without this friend? How many times was I stranded someplace and one simple call, no matter day or night, he was there to help. EVERY SINGLE TIME! I like to think I was there when he needed me also. I coached many years of basketball. Many people say quite successfully too. They don't know who was my backbone through all of it.. He is not only a heck of a coach in his own right, he is a super athlete. I met Curt while in the Navy and stationed in the Philippines at San Miguel CommSta. I was selected to coach the base basketball team and fortunately for me, he came out and made the team. At about 6'-2", he played inside against the tall timbers. I used to call him "Mr. Finesse." He couldn't jump over the defense and shoot. He couldn't muscle up against their bulk. But Mr. Finesse would sort of snake his way around inside and out of nowhere would find a way to make a layup look easy. He was awesome. Not only was he on the base basketball team, he made Subic Bay's full contact football team as a starter. His most loved game, I think though, was fast-pitch softball. This gives you an idea of his athletic prowess. Now for his brain. Yes, he has one. He was always clowning around making people happy even if it meant acting the fool sometimes, that it could have been easy to think of him of average intelect. But this man was extremely intelligent. I doubt there is anything he could not have mastered, had he wanted to. But his life was people. He loves people and being around them. And I am happy to say I am one of those people who benefitted from having him around. Did I forget to mention he does standup comedy? (Quite possibly a freudian slip.) OK, he does. I am not saying how good he was, but he certainly had his own style. He was the one who talked ME into doing it a couple times. Much fun.

My best memories of Curt are certainly when coaching basketball; When playing poker cause he always let me win...(he he); Discussing our mutual problems that had to do with raising our kids; His wacky sense of humor that was so far out of the box, even when he wasn't funny, he made you laugh. How can you beat that?

Today, my friend is fighting some health problems. Even those of us close to him don't quite know how tough it is, cause, once again, he doesn't show it. He has the most amazing demeanor and courage and outlook on life for someone going through his problems that he almost makes you ask yourself, "I thought he was sick? I sure can't tell." That is my friend Curt White. My life would have such an immense void in it had I not met this man. He has been an inspiration to me when my times in life were tough. I would just ask, "Hmmm, What would Curt do?" And then I say the answer, "Oh well." Thanks Curt, for the memories.

My dear friend, Curtis White, USN, Retired, passed away this morning at 1:37 p.m. on November 7th, 2005. I will miss him tremendously. Thanks for being my friend, Curt.

It has been two years now since his passing. I think of him sooooo very often. I wish it could have been me. I hope we meet up again some time in the future.