DR. CURTIS J. BORNE's Obituary
PERRY –
Dr. Curtis Borne, age 74, passed away on Saturday, May 10, 2025. Funeral Services are Private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Curtis’ name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Dr. Borne received his B.S. in Agricultural Education in 1974 with a minor in Science from the University of Southwestern Louisiana. He received his M.S in Agriculture Education with a minor in Vocational Guidance from Louisiana State University in 1981. He received his Ph.D. in Agricultural Education with a minor in Animal Science (Equine Reproductive Physiology) from Louisiana State University in 1988.
Curtis taught high school agriculture education in Louisiana for 15 years. He was Professor of Agriculture Education at Fort Valley State University and taught there for 34 years.
Dr. Borne was Fort Valley State University, Regents’ Distinguished Professor of Technology and Learning, May 1997 to June 1999. The professorship was funded by the Board of Regents to recognize excellence in teaching and learning. Curtis was one of the first Agriculture teachers in Georgia to use technology in the classroom. He taught faculty and staff training sessions on the use of multimedia software and GSAMS instruction. He also taught Connecting Teachers with Technology Faculty Development Workshops.
Curtis was Fort Valley State University’s TITLE III Distinguished Professor of Technology, May 1997 to October 1999. He set up a model technology classroom at FVSU. He was FVSU Institutional Distance Education Administrative Representative for Southern Region Electronic Campus in 1997 – The office of Information and Instructional Technology.
Dr. Borne was named the John W. Davison Outstanding Faculty Member for 2004-2005. He established the FVSU Equine Center in 1992 and served as Director. Curtis, an expert horseman, taught students, faculty, and the community how to ride horses safely and how to care for them. He conducted “Saddle Up for St. Jude Children’s Hospital Benefit Trail Ride” annually from 1997 to 2007 and FVSU “Horseback Relay for Life Benefit Trail Ride” annually from 2003 to 2007.
Dr. Borne loved teaching students to become Agriculture teachers and in 2003, six of his students won $500 for being the best student teachers in the state of Georgia from the Georgia Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association.
Curtis developed and maintained the FVSU Southern Region Electronic Campus Website from 1997 to 1999. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the FVSU Community Development Corporation. He served as a mentor for Upward Bound students beginning in 2003. Curtis was presented with the Technology Mentor Award by faculty attending the Online Learning Communities Training Project.
Dr. Borne conducted AgriScience Day Camps for over 600 students from public schools annually since 1995. He had many grants funded for FVSU during his tenure there. He made many presentations at conferences in Georgia and out of state.
Curtis was named Outstanding Agriculture Teacher in the State of Georgia by the Georgia FFA Alumni Association in 2009.
Dr. Borne developed the mini tractor pull competition with the help of his students for high school agriculture students. The competition took place at the Georgia National Fair each year. Curtis hosted the competition until his retirement from FVSU.
Dr. Curtis Borne was inducted into the Georgia Agricultural Education Hall of Fame in April 2025. This award was presented by the Georgia FFA Alumni and Supporters for Dedicated Service to the Agricultural Education Profession.
Curtis loved his students and was always so proud of their success and accomplishments in life. He was always willing and happy to help them long after they graduated from FVSU.
Dr. Borne is survived by his sisters, Elaine Dove (Gordon), Elizabeth LeBlue (John), and his brother, Christopher Borne.
Left to cherish his memory forever is his wife of 53 years, Brunella “Nell”, and their adorable cat, Ringo. Curtis found his soulmate in Nell who was his best friend’s cousin. In Nell, he found someone who loved animals, even more than he did. They attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana together where Nell was his tutor in Geometry. Besides a love of animals, they both shared the same sense of humor and a love of fishing, woodworking, camping, traveling, horseback riding, and western movies.
Condolences for the family may be left in the online guestbook at www.watsonhunt.com. Watson-Hunt Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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