Curtis E. Gause

Dr. Curtis Eugene Gause, 87, went to be the Lord on December 22, 2012. Curtis was born and raised in Tarpon Springs, Florida and graduated from Tarpon Springs High School in 1943. Upon graduation, Curt immediately enlisted in the United States Army and joined the allies in the liberation of Europe. He then spent three years serving the country in World War II in Germany from 1943-1946. Upon his return home, Curt attended the University of Florida, graduating in 1950. Curt continued his education at Emory University School of Dentistry in Atlanta, Georgia and graduated number two in his class in 1954. Curt and his wife, Joyce Dixon Gause, remained in Decatur, Georgia for three years following dental school, but they were Floridians at heart. In 1957, they moved with their two girls, Peggy and Carolyn to permanently settle in St. Petersburg, Florida. Curtis opened his dental practice in St. Petersburg and worked as a sole practitioner for a number of years. He became the local chairman and organizer for the Head Start Program, which provided free dental serves to children in Pinellas County. He likewise took a special interest in providing free services to missionaries throughout his career. In 1974, Curt and three of his former classmates from Emory opened the St. Petersburg Dental Center where he served as the managing partner until his retirement in 1992. Curt had a thriving practice in St. Petersburg which expanded a lifetime and he was genuinely loved by his patients. Curt was likewise active in the practice of dentistry by serving at all levels in the local and state dental associations. Curt was the President of the St. Petersburg Dental Association, the West Coast Dental Association, and lastly, the Florida Dental Association. He was elected as a delegate to the House of Delegates of the American Dental Association where he served a total of fifteen years. Curt was a delegate to the American College of Dentistry and the International College of Dentistry. Curt's last office in the dental profession was to serve as the Vice President of the American Dental Association. Curt truly loved his profession and strove throughout his career to improve the practice of dentistry, both for dentists and the public. He believed in requiring that all practitioners be held to the highest standards of care for the safety of their patients and insisted on the highest levels of integrity. Curt fought for what he believed was best for the profession, and yet, was respected, admired, and liked by his colleagues. However, if Curt were here to speak to you about his life, he would not tell you about his many accomplishments, but rather that the Lord Jesus Christ was the center of his life. Curt was active in Campus Crusade for Christ; he established a church in Clearwater and he shared his faith at every opportunity. Curt is now in heaven receiving his reward for a long and prosperous life and his family is confident that he heard the Father say "well done, good and faithful servant". During his last years Dad expressed a yearning desire to "Go Home" he knew His God, was at perfect peace and he wanted so badly to go see those precious family members who went home before him, including his daughter, Peggy. He told us he would see us in heaven and he was excited to spend eternity with the Father. He was a wonderful Godly man, a loving husband, and a strong, faithful father. He will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him. Curt is survived by his wife of 64 years, Joyce Dixon Gause, a daughter, Carolyn Gause LeBoeuf and husband Dean, of Tallahassee, his son, Jeffrey Curtis Gause and wife Kelly, of Tallahassee, two grandchildren, Ryan Curtis LeBoeuf and wife Julia of Columbia, Missouri and Kristen Nicole LeBoeuf and her new fiancé Nick Whitaker of Chesapeake, Virginia. Margaret Gause Peacock, Curt's oldest child predeceased him earlier this year, but Curt is survived by his son-in-law, Steve Peacock of New Port Richey. Curt is also survived by his sister, Carolyn Gause Danen and husband Ray of Clearwater, his partners and countless friends and relatives. Curtis and Joyce are members of Northside Baptist Church and the family will celebrate Curt's well deserved homecoming on December 31, 2012 at 11:00 A.M.