Curtis Culbertson

It is with profound sadness, yet great joy, that we announce the passing of Curtis Lynn "Curt" Culbertson on October 4, 2024. He passed peacefully, surrounded by his loving family.

Curt was born to Bob and Jeannie Culbertson on July 10, 1960, in Dallas, Texas. He has one younger sister, Jennifer Culbertson Anderson. From age nine, Curt lived most of his life in Arlington, Texas, where he attended Bailey Jr High School, Arlington High School, and UTA.

Throughout his early years, Curt was driven and athletic. He would jump into any sport and leave the game with lifelong friends. By age eight, he showed a love and talent for baseball, which led to his successful career.

In 6th grade, his family moved to Tulip Street in Arlington, Texas. This is where he met Carol Crosier, his future wife, and they became best friends. They spent hours talking on the porch and playing street games with all the neighborhood friends. Every summer, Carol traveled with his family to watch him play baseball.

He became involved at Fielder Road Baptist Church and accepted Jesus as his Savior at the age of nine. As a teen, he went on mission trips, sang in the youth choir, and played church softball. As an adult, he served 25 years in the Preschool Ministry, where he could be found welcoming families into the nursery.

God gave Curt strong athletic talent but also a mind for the game. He won many athletic awards as a player and a coach. At Arlington High School, he was First Team All-District and Most Valuable Player. Then, during his college career at UTA, as a Second Baseman, he won Second Team All-Conference in 1981 and 1982 with a batting average of .301. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in 1982 in the 22nd round and played one season of rookie ball in Billings, Montana. Curt then returned to complete his education at UTA and begin his coaching career.

On August 13, 1983, he married his high school sweetheart, Carol Crosier, at Fielder Road Baptist Church. They settled in Arlington, Texas, and raised three beautiful daughters, Kayla, Kristen, and Carly.

Curt began his coaching career in 1985 as a Middle School coach at Alvarado Middle School in Alvarado, Texas. After 5 years in Alvarado, he became the head baseball coach at Weatherford High School in Weatherford, Texas. In 1991, he returned to Arlington, Texas, to open the new Bowie High School as the head baseball coach. After 11 years at Bowie, he moved to Martin High School in Arlington, Texas, to finish his 38-year career in 2023. The Martin Warriors consistent playoff appearances throughout his tenure as head baseball coach from 2005-2023 made him particularly proud. The team became district champs twelve times, regional finals (the Elite Eight) seven times, and state tournament three times. The Warriors maintained a very high level of competition for the 19 years he was the head coach. He received district coach of the year twelve times and Dallas High Yield Coach of the Year in 2013 by Capital One Bank. He also recorded 500 wins in May 2015 and 600 in 2019. Curt was known for his hard work, immaculate field, well-disciplined teams, and high expectations. He loved his athletes and taught them more than just baseball. Parents would say, "Our sons would enter the program as boys and come out as men". In May 2024, Curt was inducted into the Arlington Athletic Hall of Honor for his years of dedication to Arlington student-athletes and their families.

Every chance he got he would be fishing on a Colorado river or a lake with his friends. No matter where he was, music was always playing. His playlist included Elvis, Eagles, Queen, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Don Henley, and Bruce Springsteen. He also enjoyed being Papa to his four grandchildren, Ethan, Hudson, Lucia, and Levi.

Curt is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Carol Crosier Culbertson; daughter, Kayla Spann and her husband Robert; daughter, Kristen Diaz and her husband Charlie; daughter, Carly Winston and her husband Chase; grandchildren, Ethan Spann, Hudson Spann, Lucia Diaz, and Levi Winston; parents Bob and Jeannie Culbertson; sister, Jennifer Culbertson Anderson and her husband, Dal as well as a host of many friends and family.

Curt courageously fought cancer and remained strong throughout his difficult journey. He was loved by many and will be deeply missed. However, he will be remembered for his strong work ethic, discipline, integrity, and love for his family, friends, and players.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation in Curt’s honor to The Miracle League Arlington (click here to donate now) or to Mission Arlington (click here to donate now).