Curtis Alan Hawley

On July 11th 2015, Curt Hawley left this earth to meet up with all the beloved pets and Family members that went before him, at the Rainbow Bridge. Curtis was born to Howard James Hawley and June Marie (Weinberg) Hawley on May 10th, 1954 in Inglewood CA. Curt attended Leuzinger High School in Hawthorne, CA. where he lived with his family that included his brother Larry James Hawley and sister Gail Hawley Moran. After high school, Curt was bit by the travelling bug, and with a pack on his back, headed north to Yosemite National Park where he lived off and on for a few years. From time to time , Curt would return to Hawthorne, and work at his Father’s business - Industrial Electric Service in Cudahy, CA. In 1977, Curt wanted to broaden his horizons, and hitchhiked up to Canada with his dog and ever faithful companion, Tahoe. Later they dropped down into Montana, and ended up in Bozeman. There, in 1978, at the Bacchus Pub, Curt was introduced to Terry Ann Marshall. It was love at first sight! Curt and Terry soon spent all of their time together. They moved to Butte MT. , where they lived for one year, because Curt had been hired onto a job by FSSI. On June 17th, 1978, Curt and Terry tied the knot and exchanged vows, in a small field dotted with wildflowers, up New World Gulch Trail in Bear Canyon. The simple ceremony was presided over by George B. Galinkin a Bahai minister. Shortly after the job was completed in Butte, Curt and Terry loaded up the 1954 Harvester International pickup, with a homemade cedar shake camper on the back , destination Beverly, Mass., so that Curt could meet Terry’s family. Travelling across country USA was an eye opening experience. After, a brief visit in Mass., Curt and Terry pointed the compass north, and spent time backpacking through New Hampshire and Maine. The lure of God’s Country aka Montana, was again calling their name, so up through Canada they motored in the old pickup truck, Bozeman bound. The trans Canadian highway was a trip – what an adventure! Once back in the land that they loved, Curt began his electrical business, (following in the footsteps of his Father), which spanned over three decades in the Gallatin Valley . Curt eventually became a state licensed Master Electrician The couple had two children: Jerome James Hawley, born on September 19th , 1979 and Keith Emerson Hawley, born December 12th, 1980. Curt Electric was growing at a fast pace. In 1999, Curt moved the electrical business to Bullrush Ave in Belgrade. Soon after, the Hawleys sold the house on N. Bozeman Ave and had one built behind the Curt Electric shop in Belgrade. In July, 2014, Curt decided to officially retire from the electrical business, and passed it on to his longtime dedicated employee, Kevin Fast , who owns and operates it today. Curt bought some property up by Canyon Ferry Lake, where he spent the summer enjoying the peaceful surroundings. Of course, Curt was an avid fisherman, and had the good fortune to fish the many Montana lakes and rivers. On several occasions, Curt had the opportunity to go to Mexico and angle for billfish. Fishing was his ultimate passion. ! Another strong interest that Curt had, was computer science and all areas of electronics. At an early age, Curt was fascinated with electricity, watching his Father at work or in the home shop. Curt began repairing radios and had an innate knowledge to fix anything put before him. Curt also had a fondness for music, and learned how to play the guitar as a teenager. He was part of a small town rock and roll band when he lived in southern CA. Through the years, Curt listened to various types of music to celebrate life and would burst into song at any given moment, night or day. It would tickle our hearts to hear Curt sing. Storytelling was a skill Curt became a natural at. He was one of a kind, and could spin a yarn like no other. Curt had a wild sense of humor and a keen wit. Anyone that was willing to give an ear, usually ended up in stitches, laughing uncontrollably. Curt had a soft heart for the animal kingdom, adopting dogs, cats, birds, reptiles or any of nature’s creatures that came into his realm. He especially took to canines, and had a black lab named Buddy that was his real soul mate and best friend. Curt was the happiest when Buddy was by his side. He made a tribute to his many dogs, by building Labrador Pond behind the house on Bullrush Ave. where they could swim and fetch sticks. Curt will be greatly missed by his family and friends and pets and all the people’s lives he touched in and around the Gallatin Valley. Curtis Alan Hawley is predeceased by his parents Howard James Hawley and June Marie (Weinberg) Hawley , grandparents Walter James Hawley and Peg (Carlson) Hawley , Other grandparents, Harry Weinberg and Hazel (Riddell) Weinberg. Grandson, Eren Gunes Avci. Curt is survived by his wife of 37 years, Terry Ann (Marshall) Hawley , sons Jerome James Hawley and Keith Emerson Hawley, brother Larry James Hawley, sister Gail Hawley Moran, grandson Taye James Barnes, nephew Wessley James Hawley, niece Sunny Louise (Hawley) Holloway and her daughters, Jayde Skye Holloway and Brooke Lynne Holloway.







A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday August 16th from 12 – 3 pm at the Lindley Park Center with a hosted BBQ and country style pot luck . Please bring a yummy dish and a beverage of your choice. We will have a brief ceremony with song and prayer, after which, there will be lots of time for sharing all of our wonderful Curt stories and memories.