Christopher Leigh Curtis

Christopher Leigh Curtis was born December 15, 1975, in Albuquerque, New Mexico to Queen Cates

Shelton and Ronald L. Curtis. Chris was known by many names - Christopher, Chris, Nuklz, Pudge,

Uncle Chuck, Chuck Preston, Christo, Chris Coast, and importantly, as Camille’s husband and best

friend, and Kennedy’s and Christina’s Dad. Like his many names, Chris had a vibrant personality and

endless zeal for life. He took to many new adventures – music, song writing, music production,

acting, comedy, entrepreneurship, and so much more – never ceasing to fulfill his purpose or his

dreams. He lived life with a big heart and had a love for God, his family, and all of the people he met

along the way. Christopher accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal savior at an early age

under the upbringing of his mother, his grandparents (Rev Frank H. & Mrs. Josephine Cates), and his

great grandparents as well as his wonderful Sunday School teachers. Chris could always be found

serving at his home church, including singing in the youth choir and serving as an usher at Mt. Zion

Baptist Church.

Chris relocated with his mother and father in the 1980s to Yokosuka, Japan; Tacoma, Washington.

and back to Albuquerque, New Mexico where he continued to grow as a child, teenager, and man

while advancing in education and learning more about God and life in general. He attended and

graduated from Manzano High School where he enjoyed playing football as number 12. In his early

years he displayed a talent for music and pursued a career where he was always engaging in music

production, writing song lyrics, rapping original verses, and performing with his fellow band

members all across the country. He always had a microphone in his hand. Christopher also pursued

entrepreneurship in various businesses expanding from small ventures to a lucrative coffee

business. He was passionate about his goals and dreams. The most significant part of his life he

always pursued day in and out was his sweetheart, Camille. Chris relocated to North Hollywood,

California July 4, 2002. He returned briefly to Albuquerque to be united in holy matrimony with the

love of his life, Camille on July 27, 2003. To this union, two beautiful daughters were born, Kennedy

and Christina. He took pride in being a husband and a dad. He taught his children the value of life

and the meaning of doing what you love. He’d always say “I love my wife and kids.”

On Saturday, June 30, 2023, God called Chris home to be with Him. Christopher is survived by his

wife Camille Wardlow-Curtis; daughters Kennedy Nicole and Queen Christina; mother Queen Cates

Shelton (Michael K. Shelton); father Ronald L. Curtis (Virgie Curtis); siblings Sebastian L. Curtis,

Raymond L. Curtis, Sabrina J. Curtis (Tyrone Pinkins), Rinmei Curtis and Ronin Curtis; mother-in-law

Joyce Wardlow; Aunts Jacqueline Curtis, Maria Cates Quaterman (Earl Quaterman), Deborah Cates

Godfrey (Lewayne Godfrey), Brenda Cates Sullivan (James Sullivan), Annie Cates Fischer (Les

Fischer-deceased), Randy Bradshaw and Eunice Nunley; Uncles Ray Curtis, Anthony Walton, Sr.,

Wayne Inniss, Danny Rayford, Sr., and Jerome Billups; the Boulware and Walker families (Maryland

and North Carolina), the Wardlow family (Oklahoma), and a host of cousins, friends, and beloved

band members (The Chimpz, Small Town, and Empty Pockets). He is preceded in death by his great-

grandmothers Mary McKee Boulware and Annie Cates Walker, great-grandfather Jesse Cates,

grandfather and grandmother Frank H. Cates and Josephine Boulware Cates, Grandmother Georgia

Curtis, father-in-law Curtis Wardlow, Uncles Darell Allen and Jesse Miles, Aunt Beverly Cates,

Cousins Grayland Howard, John L. Walker, Sr. and Lacy Walker. Chris was loved by so many family

members, coworkers, and friends.