Tony Randall Curtis, 57, of Little Rock, passed away January 14, 2023 at 12:21 a.m. closing his hard fought battle with brain cancer. He was born on May 24, 1965 in Little Rock, AR. At the age of six, he accepted Christ as his personal savior. Tony graduated from Sheridan High School in 1983. Tony had a love for the American Top 40, 80’s music, four-legged friends and connecting loved ones to each other through “Find A Grave”.
Tony began his working life at Target and then The Gap, but most recently he was the proud owner of Tony Curtis Realtors. Tony had a love and passion for his work. When buying a home from Tony, it included a history lesson of the house and surrounding areas. Tony shared his knowledge about Little Rock’s history with residents, potential residents, realtors, developers, journalists and city officials. Tony’s love and passion for the historic district shined through his home 1221 S. Louisiana St. He took 30 years to lovingly restore his home, “The Samuel B. Kirby House” to perfection. Tony served on numerous boards of directors supporting historic preservation and redevelopment. He received many awards and recognition from the city, most recently, the Quapaw Quarter Association Board of Directors awarded him the Jimmy Strawn Award, “bestowed upon someone whose efforts on behalf of the preservation of greater Little Rock’s architectural heritage are an inspiration to the entire community”. This award summed up his passion for his life’s work.
He is survived by his; 2 sisters and 2 brothers, Kimberly Curtis Foy McNeil of Hensley, AR; Brian Lyndell Curtis and Lawanna Mosley of Mansfield, TX; Marcus Wade Curtis and Alison Setliff of Las Vegas, NV; Gwendolyn Curtis Gaston and Adam Gaston of Mansfield, TX; as well as his loved fur babies, Minnie Pei, Flower Power, Little Tony and BB. He is also survived by his nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews; Joseph Keith Foy and wife Sarah Lowry, their children, Bryson Davis Foy, Lucas Asher Foy, Cooper Lee Foy; Kourtney Christine McNeil Fitzhugh and companion Allyssa Wagoner; Hannah Makayla McNeil and companion Riley Brewer and their child Makenna Rose Brewer-McNeil; and William Conner McNeil, all of Benton, AR; Kyle Russel Bys and wife Savanna Chinchilla and their child Ava Noel Bys of Mansfield, TX; Caitlin Ann Bys of Africa; Abigail Rose Curtis; Caden Scott Gaston, Miles Lane Gaston and Jack Avery Gaston, all of Mansfield, TX. He is survived by many aunts and uncles; Carol Ann Beverly, Ernestine Schram of Shreveport, LA; Shirley Kay Shumate of Batesville, AR; Lena Angela Belt and Marion D. of Sheridan, AR; Betty Sue Butler and Robert C. of Pine Bluff, AR; Elizabeth “Sissy” White of Warren, AR; Henry Allen Outlaw and Cindy Duncan of El Dorado, AR; James Elmon Outlaw and Nina Kay Godfrey of Crossett, AR; Keith Edward Outlaw and Jeanie Stuard of Sumpter, AR; David Merl Outlaw and companion LaDonna Rainey of Hermitage, AR; Patricia Kay Kinard Outlaw of Monticello AR. Also surviving Tony are 93 cousins; and 100s of lifetime friends, Todd Raney, Brad Hauser, Therese Free, Kris Faul Roman, Renee Dominique, and James Leveritt to name a few. Tony is preceded in death by his parents Linda Rose Outlaw Curtis and Jesse Ross “JR” Curtis; grandparents Henry Elmon and Lena Estelle Smith Outlaw; Robert Milo “Mike” andVelda Katherine Davis Green Curtis; Noel and Clara Bell Shumate Curtis Cole; great-grandparents William Alonzo and Etta Mae Wolfe Outlaw; Joseph Eugena and May “Mollie” Elizabeth Hickman Smith; Alvin Ross and Verna Ethel Potts Shumate; Albert Jessie and Eve Ester McGough Curtis; Shelby Noel and Bertha Pearl Vest Cole; his aunts and uncles, Peggy Lou Outlaw, Nettie Joyce Outlaw Riley, and Richard T. Riley, Morgan Alonzo Outlaw, Elaine Lonsberry Outlaw, Jamie Carolyn Shelby Outlaw, Curtis Gordon White; and cousin Cashleigh Blake Outlaw. To know Tony was to have a story, which made conversation never boring. Tony was honored to have received his final award before he passed, declaring December 21 “Tony R. Curtis Day” officially by the city of Little Rock. Everyone Tony touched will remember him not only because of the conversations and lessons we learned from him, but also through his passion and love of history. Next time you are driving through Little Rock, slow down and take in the rich history, as we all know our loved Tony would tell us to do.
Thank you to those at UAMS, CARTI, and Home Hospice who helped Tony in his battle with cancer.
Tony’s memorial was Saturday, February 4th at Frazer’s Funeral Home in Warren, AR.
