He returned home in 1947 to marry Juanita Byrd. He continued to farm southwest of Happy, adding the first irrigation wells to the dry-land fields in 1941. He was instrumental in getting the natural gas pipeline throughout Swisher County. Having the foresight to see the end of the irrigation boom, Corliss began looking for ranch land—his life-long dream to have a cattle ranch. That ranch was found in 1963 southeast of Bennington, Oklahoma.
He and Juanita moved permanently to Oklahoma in June 1969. Son Dwight joined them there in 1970. Together they carried on a cow/calf operation under the name of Currie Cattle Company. That relationship continued until 1999 when Corliss semi-retired and turned the ranch over to Dwight and his son. Corliss continued with his interest in cattle by working as a cattle buyer for interested parties, as well as running his own small herds on leased ranches.
He finally totally retired in 2015 when he sold his last batch of cattle. He was happiest when sitting watching his cattle out in the green pastures. He loved to share his observations about cattle behavior—calf nurseries, cow friendships, cow/calf relationships.
Corliss had many skills and interests. He was a farmer, rancher, carpenter, welder, mechanic, auctioneer, bank CEO and president, church elder, inventor. He had only a high school education, but he was a life-long learner and loved to share his knowledge with others. If he was in a group, he was usually the one in charge. When no one else wanted to step up, he would take on the task and do it well. He was a planner, an organizer, a businessman who was proud to be known as a cattleman.
Corliss is survived by two children: son, Dwight Howard Currie and wife Jorja of Bennington, Okla., and daughter, Debra Juanita Shaw and husband Jim of Austin, Texas; grandchildren: Chad Howard Currie and wife Rhonda of Bennington, Okla., Kelly Shaw Wheelock and husband Josh of Austin, Texas, Amanda Currie Wallis and husband Chris of Allen, Okla., and Amy Shaw Edwards and husband Dusty of Bentonville, Ark.; great-grandsons: Graham, Jude, and John Gabriel Wheelock, Garrett and Brodie Wallis, and Bowie and Gus Edwards; great-granddaughters: Madison Currie Collins and husband Johnathan, Kendall and Karoline Wheelock.
The family requests that any memorial gifts be sent to Westview Boys Home, 120 W Broadway St., Hollis, Okla.
Burial will be private at Highland Cemetery in Durant. A memorial service will be held at a later date when it is safe to gather.
Arrangements are under the direction of Brown’s Durant Funeral and Cremation Service.
