Jeffrey Dayton Curtis, 69, of Santa Barbara passed away on Nov. 20, 2023, surrounded by family and friends after a hard-fought battle with cholangiocarcinoma cancer.

Jeff was born on Sept. 14, 1954 to Richard and Carol Bunker Curtis at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. He attended elementary and junior high school in Acton, Massachusetts.

While living in Massachusetts, Jeff enjoyed summers on the south shore at his grandfather’s cottage in Marshfield. The cottage had a dock that allowed Jeff to take a boat on the saltwater river.

Jeff’s father worked for Raytheon, and moved the family to Santa Barbara in 1969. Jeff attended San Marcos High School, where he learned to scuba dive.

He graduated in 1973 and went onto study at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, graduating with a bachelors degree. After graduation Jeff worked for Raytheon until his retirement.

Jeff married Carolyn Mercer on March 10, 1979, and they raised two children together, Nicky and Kristen. They enjoyed many summer trips to Massachusetts and Kansas. They owned a sailboat in Santa Barbara Harbor and have wonderful memories sailing to Santa Cruz Island for weekend trips. They remained friends after their divorce.
 
Jeff’s love of boats and being on the water was something he loved to share with family and friends. His last boat was a power boat bought in Florida. He sailed the Intercoastal waters to Savannah, Georgia, with his friend Joe Whitham before having the boat shipped to Santa Barbara.
 
In the last year while fighting cancer Jeff traveled back to Massachusetts with Nicky and took a trip to Maui, Hawaii, with Kristen. On his last trip to Colorado to visit Kristen, he took his grandchildren snow skiing and taught them the basics of skiing. He also enjoyed multiple trips to the islands with great friends this past year.

Jeff was able to stay in his home with the love and supporting care of Nicky, Amy and Cheryl. He was also fortunate to have so many amazing friends who spent countless hours supporting him.

The family wants to extend a special thank you to Tim Rose, Joe Whitham, Joe Littera, John, Kindra and Drew for going above and beyond.

Jeff enjoyed helping others with his many talents, making new friends wherever he traveled, and sharing his love for the water. He was surrounded by family and so many great friends who stood by him and brought him comfort and company.
 
Jeff is survived by his children Nicky and Amy Curtis of Santa Barbara and Kristen and Kevin Reardon of Colorado Springs, Colorado; grandchildren Blake and Iris Reardon of Colorado Springs; brother Ron and Kim Curtis of Santa Ynez; niece Roni Ann Curtis of Santa Ynez; father and stepmother Richard and Lemay Curtis of Santa Ynez; and girlfriend Cheryl Kelmar of Santa Barbara. Jeff was predeceased by his son Steven Curtis; and his mother and stepfather Carol and Doug Tufnell.

A celebration of life is planned for Saturday, July 6. For details and to RSVP, please visit the memorial site.