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 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.”
He worked at The Gap and Target, 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 restore his home, “The Samuel B. Kirby House.” Tony served on numerous boards of directors supporting historic preservation and redevelopment. He received many awards and recognition from the city.
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, Mini, 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, Lucus 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; Cadan 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.
Also surviving Tony is Aunt Patricia Kay Kinand Outlaw of Monticello AR and his 93 cousins; lifetime friends, Todd Raney, Brad Houser, Therese Free, Kris Fall Roman, James Leveritt, and special friend Renea Dominique, to name a few of the many.
Tony is preceded in death by his parents Linda Rose Outlaw Curtis, 2018, and Jesse Ross “JR” Curtis, 2013, both of Hensley, AR; grandparents Henry Elmon Outlaw, 2007 and Lena Estelle Smith, 1990, both of Sumpter, AR; Robert Milo “Mike” Curtis, 1983 of Little Rock, AR; Velda Katherine Davis Green Curtis, 1982 of Dallas, TX; Clara Bell Shumate Curtis Cole, 1995 and Noel Cole, 1989 of Little Rock, AR; great-grandparents William Alonzo Outlaw, 1952, Etta Mae Wolfe-Outlaw, 1957, Joseph Eugena Smith, 1948, May “Mollie” Elizabeth Hickman Smith, 1967, all of Sumpter, AR; Alvin Ross Shumate, 1972, Verna Ethel Potts Shumate, 1974, both of Benton, AR; Albert Jessie Curtis, 1977, Eve Ester McGough Curtis, 1974, both of Saline County, AR; Shelby Noel Cole, 1955, Bertha Pearl Vest, 1970, both of Cave City, AR; his aunts and uncles, Peggy Lou Outlaw, 1943, Nettie Joyce Outlaw Riley, 2007, and Richard T. Riley, 2016, all of Sumpter, AR; Morgan Alonzo Outlaw, 2007, Elaine Lonsberry Outlaw, 2011, both of Hamburg, AR; Jamie Carolyn Shelby Outlaw, 2014, Curtis Gordon White, 2014, both of Warren, AR; and cousin Cashleigh Blake Outlaw, 2022, of Russellville, AR.
To know Tony was to have a story, which made conversation never boring. Tony was honored to have received his 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 will take place February 4th at Frazer’s Funeral Home in Warren, AR at 11:00 a.m.
