Curtis Peel was born on May 17, 1945 in Tampa, Florida to William and Mary Louise Peel. His
family moved to Detroit, Michigan in January of 1951 where he graduated from the Detroit Public
School System. During his high school years, in addition to being a very good student, Curtis was
also a running back for the football team, and sang tenor in the school choir and boy’s glee club.
Curtis attended Calvary Baptist Church on Jos Campau St. in Detroit where he was involved with
the youth group and a member of the church choir. After graduating from high school, Curtis
attended Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama on a football scholarship. He excelled on the
football field and was one of their star players.
 

Curtis was quite determined in the things he wanted to accomplish. After receiving a Bachelor’s
Degree in Electrical Engineering Curtis was employed by Digital Equipment Corp. He worked in
their sales department and was recognized as one of their best representatives. He later worked
for Ford Motor Company and was also a top employee there. Our mother would often say, “Curtis
is very intense with the things he loves to do.” He liked having the ability to grow, so working for
Digital and Ford Motor Company were very good fits for him.
Watching sports on TV was one of Curtis’s favorite pastimes. Football, golf, and tennis were of
major interest to him. When you observed him, it was as if he was there participating in the
games. He was also in a golf league for many years and made that a major activity whenever and
wherever he traveled. Curtis was given many opportunities for travel inside and outside of the
United States and enjoyed sharing his experiences during friend and family gatherings.
Curtis was married to Eva Stallworth for seven and a half years and to this union was born one
daughter, Dana Antonia Peel. Dana was the apple of his eye and she made sure everyone knew
it. She often said that he understood her better than anyone else ever could. In 1992 Carol
Schrauben and Curtis united in marriage and they enjoyed spending 11 years together. Carol
continues to be a supportive part of the Peel family.
 

Curtis was preceded in death by his mother and father, sisters; Louise Hawkins-Williams, and
Mary Emma Coman. He leaves to mourn, his daughter, Dana Peel; brothers William Peel III and
David Peel (Loretta); sisters Elnora Sipp (Gregory) and Emily Brown; lifelong friends Herman and
Joyce Cole and Fred Stone; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Curtis was very giving and
he cared a lot about his family and friends. He will be greatly missed and always remembered.