Curtis Forte

Curtis was the second son born on May 20, 1941 to the late Gus Forte and Estella Poole in Maud, Texas.

At the age of three, his mother moved to Richmond, California. She later met and married Willie Oliver and he moved the family to Fresno, California.

Curtis received his early christian training at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, where he was an alter boy. He also attended Orange Center and Washington Union High School in Fresno, CA. He dropped out of school after completion of the eleventh grade to pursue the Military. Later, he received a GED. He later attended Chattahoochee Valley State Community College, where he earned an Associate Degree.

Curtis served twenty one years active duty, retiring in 1977. He worked for the Army as a Civilian in Missouri and Albany, GA. He retired in 2002. He was also an insurance agent in Columbus, GA.

Curtis was married o Gracie Lee Parker on July 17, 1965 and to that union two sons were born, Michael R. Forte and Curtis Scot Forte.

His first born son Darron, born in Fresco, CA was succumb to death before reaching one year old.

Curtis was an advocate golfer, he played until he could no longer stand. Also, gambling was a big past time, for he believed in betting. He said "You got to be in it to win". So he made sure that he was in it. The mirror was his friend, he stayed in it admiring himself. Also, he had a strong love for deserts. Often stated, "There's always room for desert".

He lived in Palm Coast, Florida for twenty years before moving to Thomasville, GA five years ago. Uniting with Willow Head Missionary Baptist Church, after leaving our church family in Hagler Co Tabernacle of Deliverance, under the leadership of Bishop Nathaniel Brooks.

He was a member of the American Legion Post 519.

He is married to Shirley for nineteen years. They were devoted to each other for twenty nine years and eleven months. No children were born to this union.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his surviving family, his wife, Shirley Sampson; children, Michael (Ronika) Forte, Columbus, GA, Curtis Scot (Roslyn), Norcross, GA; children in love, Pilar Donald, Tallahassee, FL, Yorunda James, Sanavaia James and Wanjuri Remi James "Baby Girl", Thomasville, GA; grandchildren, Angelica Richardson, Kissimee, FL, Mason A. Forte, Atlanta, GA, Jonathon Forte, Columbus, GA, Sgt. Jonathon (Cariya) Williams, Fort Polk, LA, Laretta E. Williams-Smith, Tallahassee, FL, Eric Donald, Jr., Augusta, GA, Aaraa J. Mosley, Tampa, FL, Ariyanna J. Davis, Thomasville, GA, Delanor Davis, Jr., Anthony Elan Carr, Thomasville, GA; seven great grandchildren and Godson, Jerry Gaines, Louisiana.

He also leaves his siblings, Willie M. Surrell, Juluree Harris, Fresno, CA, Tommy Jones, Fresno, CA, Delores Colbert, Los Angeles, CA, Florene Forte, Jenny Forte, both of Clarksville, TX, Barbara Forte, Douglasville, TX, Faye Byrd, Tracy (Thelma) Forte, Lester Forte, Esther Forte, Texans, TX; brother in laws, David Sampson, Jr., Karlton Sampson, Alvin Sampson, Floydzell Sampson, all of Thomasville, GA; sister in laws, Thelam Forte, Bettsville, MD; very special nephew, Calvin Forte, St. Pete, FL; several special persons whom stopped by, Demetrius "Scooter" Sampson, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Morrow, Levern Lilly, Janice Strickland, Ben Spencer, Tellis Barber, Floyd Sampson, Eleanor Homer and Family and host of other relatives and friends.

He received numerous awards and medals in the Military.
*National Defense Service Medal; Good Conduct Medal (6th Award); Army Commendation Medal w/ "V" Device; Bronze Star Medal; Vietnam Service Medal w/l Silver Star & 2 Bronze Stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 Device; Vietnam Cross of Galantry w/Palm; 4 Overseas Service Bars; Air Medal; Sharpshooter ( Carbine); Marksman (M-16); Sharpshooter (M-1); Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; 6 Service Stripes; Menritorious Service Medal; Korea Defense Service Medal*