Vance loses a friend and Partner in the Sky Published Dec. 4, 2006 By Bob Farrell Public Affairs Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- Oscar Curtis, longtime friend to Vance Air Force Base personnel and an original Partner in the Sky designee, passed away Wednesday morning in Oklahoma City. Mr. Curtis worked for many years here in Enid for the J.C. Penney Company. After retiring, he decided to remain in Enid. A civic minded individual, Mr. Curtis was very active with the Rotary Club and other business organizations. He focused on helping to support Vance AFB, working with the local Air Force Association chapter. "Oscar used his business contacts to make Enid, Oklahoma have the largest Community Partner Program (AFA business membership program) in the world!," said George Pankonin, former AFA state president. Enid still has more Community Partners than any state, or region of states, in the world today thanks largely to Mr. Curtis' efforts. A tireless servant on the Military Affairs Committee for the Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce, he helped establish many programs that Vance AFB enjoys today. Some of these programs include Camp Tomahawk (a two-week program for underprivileged children), creator of the annual Vance-Enid Golf Tournament at Oakwood Country Club (which will be held this Sunday), planner and worker for the annual Enlisted Appreciation Night and many other programs that we now take for granted. Mr. Curtis was recognized for his many AFA contributions in 2003 by being presented with an Air Force Association Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Curtis and his contributions to the Air Force will be long remembered and missed by past, present and future Team Vance members.