Submitted Photo Ray Curtis, of Minot, enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1941 and served until his discharge in December 1945. Photo by Randi Hubbard, Minot Lodge Senior Living.

Ray Curtis, of Minot, celebrated his 106th birthday on Feb. 11 at Minot Lodge Senior Living, formerly The Wellington, where he resides. This makes him one of the oldest living World War II veterans in North Dakota and likely also one of few at this age in the United States.

Originally from Columbus, Curtis moved with his family to Minot in 1927.He was educated in Minot, graduating from Minot High School in 1935. For a few years he farmed with his father and brother before enlisting in the U.S. Army in January 1941.

Since the draft had started he thought he would go into the Army and get his year done. For the first two months, he was a clerk-typist in Minot.

But a month before he was to be discharged Pearl Harbor was attacked (Dec. 7, 1941) and the Army changed his plans.

Curtis and his then girlfriend, Ellen, originally from Columbus, quickly got married in Reno, Nevada. Ray was sent from San Francisco to Texas and Ellen went to Minot to stay with his parents until he was discharged from the Army in December 1945.

Curtis stayed in the states for most of his time in the Army, with the exception of about 10 months when he was in Germany.

He returned to farming after his discharge and he and Ellen raised their five daughters.

His family also includes grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

After retiring Curtis and his wife moved to Minot . Ellen died in December 2014. Curtis moved to Minot Lodge Senior Living several years ago.

He credits his longevity to being active and a good diet. His activities include attending exercise class at the assisted living facility and when the exercise leader isn’t available he leads the group.