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VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – Curtis Raeford Eure, 88, died March 4, 2025 at his home in Virginia Beach, Virginia surrounded by his loved ones.

Rae is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Donna Andrews Eure; daughter, Lisa Caroline Eure; son, Curtis Raeford Eure, Jr., and grandson Timothy Parker Eure; his stepdaughter, Erin Simmons Drinkwater, grandchild, Vivian Haradlee Drinkwater; his stepson, Archie Leland Simmons, Jr. and his wife Margaret McCaa Simmons, grandson Cameron Webster Simmons and granddaughter, Elizabeth Hunter Simmons.

Rae, the son of Soni Timothy Eure and Helen Felton Eure, was born on a farm in Gates County, North Carolina, January 11, 1936. Born with a daunting prognosis at birth, Rae was double club footed and his parents were told he would never walk. A neighbor, who owned a car, thought differently and transported Rae bi-weekly for months as an infant to a doctor in Norfolk who cast his feet and legs to reposition them. Rae went on to play three sports at Gatesville High School: baseball, football and basketball, while holding the title of President of his class of 21 students. He ran, danced, worked on the farm, and drove anything with wheels.

At age 13, Rae was given 14 “bitties” or baby chickens to raise through the 4-H club. He raised them, turned them in and bought 100 more. This project eventually turned into 20,000 laying hens, “Eure’s Brown Eggs” was a thriving business, which paid his way through college.

Rae graduated from NC State University in 1959 with a degree in Civil Engineering. Upon graduation, he moved to Portsmouth, Virginia where he began his career under the mentorship of the late industrialist, George T. McLean. It was here that he learned to fly and received his pilots’ license. He became Mr. McLean’s political ambassador in several elections and flew numerous persons on the campaign trail, both Republicans and Democrats Mills Godwin, Senator L. F. Payne, John Edwards, Governor George Allen, Governor Jim Gilmore, Senator Creigh Deeds to name a few.

In 1972, Rae became a Shriner in the class with Honorable Joseph Canada and Owen Pickett. 1957 brought about the beginning of the Khedive Shriner Air Wing Unit. Rae was a charter member and its captain. Since its inception, he has flown 237 burned or crippled children to eight Shriners Hospitals and coordinated many more flights to serve others while remembering what was done for him as a child.

In August of 2002, he was appointed to the Board of Governors of the Shriners Hospital in Greenville, SC for a term of nine years. Rae was also a “Jester”, the highest honor of membership in the Shrine.

Curtis Raeford Eure was founder and president of Hoggard-Eure Associates for 54 years, guiding his engineers, surveyors, and planners. He was always excited about the next new job no matter how large or small. His efforts helped build the Tidewater Region, parts of North Carolina, and many military bases.

Rae will be immensely missed by his family and friends. He was a loving husband, father, stepfather, and Papa to his four precious grandchildren. Rest in Peace Raeford.

“….and in the meantime!”

A memorial service will be held at Galilee Episcopal Church, 3928 Pacific Avenue, Virginia Beach, Virginia, on March 22 at 11:00 am. In place of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to be made to:

Shriners’ Hospital for Children Transportation

645 Woodlake Drive

Chesapeake, Virginia 23320

www.khediveshrine.org

 

Galilee Church

3928 Pacific Ave.

Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451

www.galileechurch.net

 

Wings over Virginia Hospice

6325 North Center Drive Bldg. 18 Suite 204

Norfolk, Virginia 23502

www.wovhospice.com