Obituary of Curtis Renfro

In loving memory of Curtis A. Renfro, born in Plainview, Texas on September 22, 1946 and died in Goose Creek, South Carolina on June, 28 2018. He was the son of Robert Renfro, Sr. and Madge N. Renfro. Curtis held a variety of jobs, but is best remembered for his Navy career spanning from 1964 to 1996, when he retired during the Charleston Navy Base closure. Never a guy to be without a mission, he took on the world of real estate next, and worked for Agent Owned Realty from 1993 until his retirement in 2012.

Sometimes the best way to get to know someone is to ask them what their ideal day would look like. As those who knew him best we are going to try to take you through Curtis’ ideal day. It would begin with a cup of coffee or three before stepping outside to contemplate his next project. Then, from the front porch Curtis would be greeted by a fully loaded and ready to go camper with his six most important passengers inside.

Several cups of coffee later, the day would magically find them admiring the “landscape” of West Texas… and just as magically everyone would agree with him that it was the closest the planet Earth could get to heaven. After a lunch of the best burgers in the world, only found in Texas of course, washed down with coffee or a Dr. Pepper, the family would be off … bound for Scottsdale and the Barrett-Jackson Car Auction. A few waves of his hand and the next thing you know Curtis Renfro is the proud owner of a white, 1955 droptop Jaguar XK-140 that he picks up for a song. 

Dream car in tow and dream life aboard the RV, the family tours the life of Curtis Renfro. Car Museums and Submarines. Racetracks and old Country Music. All the while, every single conversation ends with those sweet, if seldom heard, words: “You’re right Dad.” 

As the sun marches slowly toward the horizon, the tour finds itself zeroing in on his favorite place … home. Dad, coffee mug in hand, quietly watches his closest friends and family mill about and enjoy the comfortable home he and his Mele worked so hard to provide. And then, just to drop the final touch of perfection on the day; his girls gather around him and tell him that … the Biltmore pool really was the most amazing pool they’d ever seen. 

Curtis is predeceased by his parents Robert and Madge, and his Brother Robert. He is survived by his beloved wife Carmela Renfro of Goose Creek, South Carolina; his daughters Jennifer Wilson of Levelland, Texas; Daniella Hamby of Wellford, South Carolina; Marsa Roberts of Summerville, South Carolina; Brenda Von Plinsky of Keene, New Hampshire; and Maria DuVall of Moncks Corner, South Carolina. He has two surviving brothers David and Melvin Renfro, and one sister Rebecca LeFleur. His ten grandchildren, Richard, Drew, TJ, Izzy, Cheyanne, Tiffany, Justin, Abi, Meghan, and Hannah will dearly miss their Paw Paw.

The family will receive friends at Simplicity Lowcountry, Ladson Chapel - 281 Treeland Drive, Ladson, SC 29456. on Thursday, July 5 from 6-8 pm. The memorial service will be held at the National Cemetery in Beaufort, South Carolina on Friday, July 6 at 1 pm.