James Curtis Gandy Jr.

James Curtis Gandy, Jr. passed away on January 5, 2023, in Levelland, Texas, at his home surrounded by his devoted wife Susan and son Samuel, after a 15-month battle with leukemia.  He recently had been admitted under hospice care.

Curtis, which he was better known, was born in Morton, Texas on March 5, 1951, to J.C and Bonnie (Sullivan) Gandy.  He attended Morton High School and graduated in 1969.  He was active in band, football, and the FFA program. He attended South Plains College in Levelland, Texas, and earned his Associate’s Degree in Mid Management. After graduation, he got a job in Houston, Texas working for an oil company. Six months later, his Dad made him an offer he could not refuse. He moved back to Morton and became J.C’s partner in the farming business.  Not only was it a great job opportunity, but the two men re-established their relationship, not just as father and son, but as best friends.  Unfortunately, J.C. died unexpectedly from a sudden acute heart attack in 1973 at the age of 48 years.

Curtis then had to be left with the responsibility of running the farm by himself.  Thankfully, the good Lord was looking after him and his mother.  With the help of friends and neighbors, he was able to harvest the crop he and his dad raised that year.

In the summer of 1973, Curtis was introduced to the younger sister of a former classmate at a local dance.  He thought she was the prettiest girl he had ever met.  They dated each other on and off over the course of two years.  After he ended up proposing marriage to her three times, she finally said yes!  On June 14, 1975, Susan Victoria Demel married James Curtis Gandy, Jr. at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Pep, Texas.

Curtis continued to farm until the fall of 1976 when we got a letter from the C.C. Slaughter Farming Industry, who we had leased the land from for over thirty years.  We were told to vacate the property by January 1977.  He still needed to harvest his crop and on top of that we were expecting our first child. But the worst part was how it broke his mother’s heart because that had been her home for so many years.  He had to sell all his farm equipment in a farm auction, things that once belonged to his dad.  Fortunately, by the grace of God, and the help of family, friends, and neighbors, he once again was able to start over again.

In 1977, Curtis started working for Bailey County Electric Coop. and he worked for them for 45 years.  He started out in the line department, then became a meter reader, then a meter tech.  Over the course of the years, he has helped train many of the younger employees he has worked with.  Many of the members knew him by his first name and he was always willing to stop and help someone in need.  He always defined himself by the way he worked, and if he could of, he would have worked until he was 90.

In 2005, Curtis made the choice to become a member of the Catholic faith.  He attended RCIA classes with Father Bill Anton and was also inspired by Monsignor Curtis Halfmann.

The greatest joy in his life has always been finding time to spend with his family.  When the boys were younger he taught them how to play baseball and football in the backyard, and would coach their teams.  Throughout the years he was also involved in Cub Scouts, Little League, and Band Boosters, and sitting on the sidelines during football and basketball games.

Susan got to have her special time with him by going on what they called “George Strait Trips.”  One to Arlington, Texas to attend the opening of the AT&T Cowboy Stadium, once in San Antonio, Texas, and at a Christmas in Las Vegas. They also enjoyed going to Ruidoso, New Mexico during the hot summer months just to relax.

Curtis is survived by his devoted wife Susan Gandy; his son Samuel Gandy of Levelland, Texas; his son Benjamin Gandy and wife Shannon Gandy of Weston, Colorado; daughter Katherine Gandy and Ray Hubbard of Plainview, Texas; and his granddaughter Ember Gandy of Weston, Colorado.  He is also survived by many extended family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents J.C. and Bonnie Gandy; his sisters Sandra Gandy and Linda Gandy; his in-laws, Max and Ruth Demel and brother-in-law, Myles Demel.

Curtis chose to donate his body to the Texas Tech Health Science Center School of Medicine.

A private burial of his earthly remains will take place at a later date.

A Rosary Service is scheduled on Thursday, January 12, 2023, at 6:30 pm at Lake Ridge Chapel, 6025 82^nd Street, Lubbock, Texas. A social will follow.

A funeral Mass of the resurrection will be on Friday, January 13, 2023, at 11:00 am at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 319 East Washington Street, Levelland, Texas.  Please view the service broadcasting schedule, floral purchasing, and an area to share stories of Curtis with his family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Hospice of Lubbock or St. Michael Catholic Church in Levelland in his honor.

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