Rusty Curen

Services for Rusty Van Curen will be held at Terpening and Son Mortuary located at 7th Street and Grand Ave., Artesia, NM at 10:00 A.M on January 8, 2008. A Fireman's Service with burial will be conducted at the Timberon Cemetery Wednesday, January 9, at 2:00 P.M. Rusty Van Curen was born May 7, 1954 in Artesia, NM. His parents were James and Marjorie Van Curen also respectfully known as the Old Man and the Old Lady. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, brother John of AR, and sister-in-law Carolyn Sue Trujillo. Survivors are his wife of 33 years, Josie Ellen Van Curen of the home in Timberon, NM. Sons, Major Billy Joe and wife Debbie of Fort Sill, OK. Rusty Jim II, wife Brandy, granddaughters Kayla Marie, and Kyla Nicole. Daughter Angela Jo-Ellen Bell, husband Dalton Lee, grandchildren Joel Thomas, Katie Paige, and Jackson Lee of Lovington, NM. Uncle John Van Curen of Tulsa, OK. who is the only remaining Van Curen. He was General McArthur's guard during World War II. Uncle Carrol and Aunt Opal Jackson of Hagerman. Four sisters, Rosie Atkins of Hagerman. Bonnie Johns, and husband Ray of Artesia, Sharon Van Curen of Carlsbad, Elizabeth Capito, husband George of Las Vegas, NV. One brother, Clifford Van Curen, wife Rhonda, of Artesia. Sister-in-law Sheryl Clark of Artesia. Brothers-in-law are Tommy Wood, wife Delores of Prescott, Iowa, Billy Joe Wood of Artesia, Wayne Wood, wife Kathy of Artesia, along with numerous nephews and nieces. Pallbearers are Kevin Hennington, Jackie Herron, Jimmy Maxwell, Richard Rodriguez, Mike Stegall, and Andy Rincon. Honorary pallbearers are Darren Wood, Nathan Smith, Bill Joy, Harold Huntsman, Chuck Tidwell, with all nephews, nieces, and good friends. Rusty was born prematurely and had to fight hard to live and continued that fight to the end. Once someone asked him if he knew an easier way to do things, Rusty replied, If it is not hard, it is not worth doing. That became his motto. Rusty was baptized at the Presbyterian Church of Artesia, where he also participated in the choir and church plays. Rusty grew up in Artesia. He became a well know business man throughout southeast New Mexico operating and owning R J Welding and Josie's Country Market with his partner in life, Josie. Rusty admired people with both physical strength and inner strength. The strength to do what had to be done. Everybody knew Rusty had these qualities. Rusty was thankful to all of the people who helped shape him into the wonderful, dependable man he became. Two families that welcomed him into their lives were Shorty and Lizzie Madron, and Joe and Wanda Swafford. One turning point in Rusty's life happened during a hunting accident at the age of 16. He was riding a green broke horse when his Magnum 44 pistol went off. The bullet entered his right thigh and exited in the middle of his shin. Bob Bettencourt saved his life by using a belt for a tourniquet. Dr. O'Brien saved his leg by taking the time to reattach all of the nerves and tendons along with implanting a stainless steel plate. One day Rusty was at Shorty and Lizzie's complaining to Lizzie's brother, Ford Hanna, how hard his life was. Ford told Rusty they would have a cup of coffee and talk. Ford went into the kitchen and came back with two cups of coffee without spilling a drop. The remarkable part was that Ford himself used crutches. Rusty received many trophies while participating in gymkhanas. He had many first place trophies, but he also was awarded the Hard Luck trophy. Mr. Reynolds at Atoka School and Walter Short at Artesia High School were there for Rusty during his school career. With their help Rusty was able to earn his GED and complete welding school at ENMU at Roswell. Dick Collins helped Rusty learn to think problems through. Some thought Rusty may have overdone the thinking a little bit, but that is how he became a Steel Surgeon instead of just a welder. Rusty passed away at home in Timberon early on January 4, 2008. He died from a very aggressive form of invasive webbing stomach cancer. He wore a serene look on his face knowing he had lived life the way he should. He was ready for God to reunite him with the loved ones in Heaven.