Curtis Jacob Hortin

Curtis Jacob Hortin, our beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, January 18, 2026. He lived a life marked by deep family connection, a love of the outdoors, and the quiet courage of facing a challenging disability with optimism, persistence, and noble character. Curtis departed this life far too soon at the age of 37.

Curtis was born on June 28, 1988, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the third of five children. He was raised in Cottonwood Heights, where he attended Canyon View Elementary, Butler Middle School, and Brighton High School, graduating in 2006. From a young age, Curtis was thoughtful and intellectually curious. He enjoyed challenging his teachers and expected those around him to think clearly, deeply, and honestly. He held a deep-rooted belief that we are all connected and meant to love and lift one another. He lived this belief through his kindness, compassion, and genuine acceptance of everyone he encountered.

As a child and teenager, Curtis participated in a variety of sports, including T-ball, soccer, football, and track. As he grew older, his interests expanded into outdoor and hands-on pursuits. He loved hiking, canyoneering, snowboarding, and fishing, as well as reading, studying philosophy, woodworking, building with Lego, playing video games, nurturing plants, and—perhaps most enthusiastically—harassing his nieces and nephew. Curtis found great joy in planning outdoor adventures and sharing those experiences with friends and family.

Curtis was especially proud of the apartment he shared with his sister Jillian and the many plants they cared for together. They were roommates for several years and remained each other’s strongest supporters and defenders.

Curtis worked for several years at a call center before beginning work at the Utah Olympic Park on the bobsled run, where he helped service and maintain the track and drove sleds for visitors. He especially loved working three 12-hour shifts, which allowed him long weekends to explore—most often in the deserts of southern Utah. Later, Curtis worked at Backcountry in the warehouse, where he advanced into a leadership role. In November 2020, after experiencing increasing vertigo over several years, Curtis was forced to stop working.

Curtis is survived by his mother, Carie Squires; stepfather, Pete Squires; father, Chadly Hortin; stepmother, Suzanne Hortin; siblings Brian Hortin (Ariel), Melanie Fox Wallace (Travis), Jillian Hortin, and Braden Cowley; nieces Emily, Megan, Katelyn, Colette, and Cambry; nephew Charlie; and grandfather Roy Stephen.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents Dale Hortin, Hope Hortin, and Carol Stephen, and by his brother-in-law Mike Fox.

Curtis will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew him.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 11473 South Chapel View Drive, South Jordan, Utah 84095. A viewing will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., followed by the memorial service at 11:00 a.m.