Pastor Darryl Ricardo Curtis, age 70, was born to John Wesley Curtis & Dorothy (Walton) Curtis on April 19, 1952. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend, and minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Darryl is survived by: his wife, Marie (Bard) Curtis; son, Paul Michael Curtis; his wife, Toni (Hall) Curtis; his grandchildren Janae Alexandra and Elijah Michael Curtis; and his brother, Dr. Marvin Curtis, retired Dean of The Ernestine M. Raclin School of the Art at Indiana University. Rev. Curtis is proceeded in death by: his father, John Curtis; mother, Dorothy Curtis; and brother, Wesley Curtis.

Rev. Curtis transitioned quietly to his Heavenly Home after a long battle with metastatic prostate cancer and kidney disease. Though his disease process was extremely painful, Rev. Curtis continued to praise God and maintain an attitude of gratitude. He prayed daily that Paul would take care of his family; especially our grandchildren. Darryl had a wonderful and infectious sense of humor and even during the height of his pain and disease, he always found something to laugh at. His strongest attribute was to make the Bible and the Plan of Salvation clear so anyone could understand it and make an informed decision to follow Jesus.

Darryl grew up in Chicago, Illinois, and attended Michigan State University where he met Marie in 1971, his wife of 49 years on her very first day at the university. They got married the following year. Darryl graduated with a degree in Political Science and a minor in math. He loved playing basketball and was one of the original members of the Lansing Topspins; the first Black Tennis Club in Lansing. Darryl went to work for the phone company and took early retirement from Ameritech to answer the call on his heart to the ministry. He was ordained in 1984 by Pastor Flannagan at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church. He transferred his membership to Union Missionary Baptist Church under Rev. Dr. Melvin T. Jones then felt led to start his own Church; Family Life Baptist Church to help couples mature in marriage and focus on issues affecting the Christian family.

While pastoring Family Life Baptist Church, Darryl became interested in Ballroom Dancing and Chicago Steppin' and used this interest to demonstrate how a Christian could honor his wife and their relationship through social activity. Darryl and Marie traveled to Detroit, Grand Rapids, Flint, and Las Vegas. The couple also enjoyed traveling to Florida especially when Paul was small; North Carolina beaches, and Mexico.

Condolences and cards may be shared with the family at Riley Funeral Home, https://www.rileyfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, please direct your donations to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, www.pcf.org in Memory of Darryl Curtis. If you prefer to donate via check, please indicate "In Memory of Darryl Curtis" and send it to:

Prostate Cancer Foundation

1250 Fourth Street, 3rd Floor

Santa Monica, CA  90401

Services for Pastor Curtis are as follow: