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Wesley Jr., Curtiss Mervin

Obituary

Curtiss Mervin Wesley, Junior was born October 9, 1980, in Little Rock, Arkansas to Curtiss Wesley, Senior and Charlene Edwards. Curtiss was a happy, strong-willed child, who loved playing with his siblings and caring for animals. He attended public schools in Little Rock and Sherman, Texas. At the age of 11, he accepted Christ and was baptized at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Sherman. At a very young age, he fell in love with music and learned to play the saxophone, clarinet, and flute. He composed his own music and whistled like a bird.

Curtiss also had a strong passion for dance and gymnastics. He was self-taught until his teenaged years when he began taking lessons. He also began teaching young students at Kristina’s Studio of Dance, as well as the Gymnastics Sport Center in Sherman. During high school, Curtiss won many dance competitions, including one that awarded him with free dance lessons in New York City. Curtiss and big sister DeLibra boarded a flight to the Big Apple, and a star was born. Curtiss returned home with a new focus and passion for performing.

Curtiss graduated from Sherman High School in 1999. He received a scholarship to attend Oklahoma City University, one of the top 10 dance schools in the nation, where he pursued a bachelor’s degree in dance and entertainment. After college, he taught dance and gymnastics at various facilities across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, including ASI Gymnastics. Curtiss planned to return to NYC in 2001 to audition for The Lion King, but his trip was postponed due to the 9/11 terror attacks. His mother expressed concerns about his safety in the big city, and the trip was officially cancelled. Sometime later, his mother sat him down, assured him that she would be okay if he left and told him to follow his dreams. Soon, Curtiss was on his way back to NYC.

Curtiss hit the ground running when he arrived in NYC, booking gigs left and right, including 42nd Street, which took him to Japan. His other musical theater performances include Beauty and the Beast, Hair Spray, Evita, West Side Story, Big River and The Music Man just to name a few. Curtiss also spent years working as a dancer, singer, aerialist and tumbler for Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean. His cruise ship experience took him everywhere from Haiti and the Bahamas to Italy and Egypt. His courage and determination never wavered, even in foreign surroundings. One day, Curtiss bravely jumped ship in Spain after becoming frustrated with an employer. He later booked a flight home to reunite with his family.

In 2012, Curtiss settled down in NYC and began focusing on developing young talent. He returned to teaching and helped dancers get a leg up with his $5 Dance Class in Manhattan. He traveled to Pennsylvania occasionally to pitch in at ASH Contemporary Dance Company. He also began mentoring aspiring dancers, actors and models who needed guidance in their careers. Curtiss worked behind the scenes as a choreographer for countless productions, including the Miss Texas pageant, the award-winning film The Lives of Hamilton Fish, as well as music videos and live performances. He appeared in commercials and television shows and helped with fundraising for the New York Philharmonic.

In 2013, Curtiss retired from performing and returned to the South to help his younger siblings as they stepped into adulthood. While he still taught the occasional dance class, he embarked on a new career in the restaurant and hospitality industries. He worked as a server, bartender, manager, and event coordinator for restaurants in the DFW area. When he wasn’t working, he was in his kitchen, refining his cooking skills and learning all he could about wine.

In 2015, Curtiss moved to NYC yet again, this time with little brother Shelby in tow. The pair settled down in the Bronx, and Curtiss took his new career to the next level. He managed busy restaurants in the heart of Manhattan, and in 2018, he started his own catering business. In 2019, Curtiss became a certified sommelier. His palate was so refined that he could take a sip of wine and pinpoint the region of the world from which it originated. When he wasn’t providing his guests and clients with 5-star service, he was at home writing short stories and knitting scarves for his family.

Curtiss was diagnosed with cancer in 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic was gripping the United States. He said a final farewell to NYC in 2021 and headed back to Texas, this time moving in with DeLibra, who oversaw his care. Curtiss stayed positive throughout his battle and never lost the charm and sense of humor that won him so many friends and fans all over the world. Curtiss died peacefully in his sleep surrounded by family on September 30, 2021.

He was preceded in death by his grandmother Inezer Wesley Sanders and his grandfather Richard Farris, Junior.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his father Curtiss Wesley, Senior, his papa George Edwards and mother Charlene Edwards; sisters DeLibra Wesley, Deidra Wesley and Brianna Edwards; brothers Thomas Edwards and Shelby Wesley; nephews Tristen Wesley, Trace Carroll and Miles Wesley; grandmother Lillie Mae Farris; grandfather Robert Jenkins; Grandpa Bonnie Payne; godsister Tammy Day; the remaining members of The Fab Five and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins and friends.

Memorial service:
October 30, 2021, at 11 am
Trawick Pavilion at Grapevine Lake
2700 Darren Medlin Trail
Grapevine, TX 76051

    Robert Lee Rafter Sr. and Gwendolyn Rafter
    13 Oct 2022
    10:41am

    We are so sorry for your loss. We will keep you in our prayers.

    The Hyson Family
    13 Oct 2022
    10:41am

    DeLlibra and family- Sending condolences and much love, I am so sorry for the loss of your brother- what a beautiful soul, may you find comfort in the fond memories and knowing he is always with you. Much love- the Hyson family

    Stacy Adeyinka
    13 Oct 2022
    10:41am

    Fly high Bubba. I’m so proud of you and strength you displayed throughout it all. Auntie love you more than the world could ever know. Rest in perfect peace My June Buggy Wesley!

    Clarence and Yvonne Handie
    13 Oct 2022
    10:41am

    We are praying for you and your family in this time of Bereavement.

    Mik & Elena Burns
    13 Oct 2022
    10:41am

    DeLibra, you and you family are in our thoughts and our prayers .

    Mercedes(Sadie)
    13 Oct 2022
    10:41am

    My Family, I Pray For Healing For You All.. God Has Your Back… He Will Shield And Protect You All, He Will Mold Your Hearts To Understand That Though All We See Is Grief, Our Fallen Soldier Sees Happiness. For He Is Home, Healthy, And Happy. I Love You All.

    Cornelia Bennett
    13 Oct 2022
    10:41am

    My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time and for the days and months to come. Look to the hills from which cometh your help. Love you and your family.

    Johnettee Crockett
    13 Oct 2022
    10:41am

    : I can’t express the sadness that junior’s earthly departure left with us! But, reflexion of his accomplishments and experiences lifts our spirits. Jr. changed and made happy lives of many. Dedicating his life to Christ at eleven let’s you know that he knew who to lean and depend on. Jesus didn’t leave him, he boarded him on Heaven’s Cruiser. A home injury prohibited my attendance at the celebration but I’ll never forget the picture he sent me last Christmas. All of Inezer’s children love of of Lillie Mae’s children.

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Liza B.Dallas, TX
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"The unexpected passing of my husband was a very difficult and trying time for my boys and I. I had the good fortune of having Abel walk us thru this process. Working with him was such a weight off my shoulders. He was professional, so polite and helpful. The service was beautiful – never did I feel rushed or like just another customer. They gave me the time I needed and I appreciate that so much! Also Mr. Brooks took special care of my husband as he is a fellow mason. I would highly recommend working with Abel and North Dallas Funeral Home."
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"As soon as the call was made to Mr. Wayne Baxter all of my brothers final needs were taken care of. They walked me through what to expect the timeline and even dealt with the cemetery and the grave diggers. I was a hot mess due to my brothers sudden and unexpected passing. The experience was seamless and made it easy for my brother’s friends and family to say their last goodbyes. They even had the size to accommodate such a large group that showed up . The package deals that they offered were cost-effective and didn’t break my bank account. They included extras and accommodations that other funeral homes charged extra for. All the staff was amazing including Mr. Don Dodd . I can not thank them enough for all their help."
The Gillilands
The Gillilands[click to read more]
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Dear John,

It was such a nice pleasure to meet you, and what you had planned for my father just took my breath away. It was so special to hear you tell us how he would just come over to talk with you. I think it brought him much comfort. Tha you for putting that Air Force article of him on your website. I am going to have a replica made of the painting of his plane to give you.

Thank you again for all you have done to honor our dad.

Love, The Gillilands

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