Thomas Jefferson Anderson Curtis, Jr. peacefully transitioned from this life on January 26, 2026, at Montevista Rehabilitation and Skilled Care in Lawton, Oklahoma. He was born on January 8, 1965, in Flint, Michigan, to the late Thomas Jefferson Anderson, Sr., affectionately known as "Doc," and the late Erma Jean Glymph-Anderson, lovingly called "Cutie."

In June of 1965, Thomas, along with his mother and sister, traveled to Benton, Arkansas to attend a funeral. That visit became permanent, and Benton would remain the place where his roots were firmly planted.

At a young age, Thomas was lovingly adopted by his grandparents, the late Clayton Curtis and the late Annie B. Hannon Glymph Curtis. From that point forward, he became affectionately known as "Jr. Curtis," a name that would later echo throughout gyms, communities, and conversations wherever his story was told.

Throughout his life, Jr. explored several church affiliations in his search for truth and understanding. As God would have it, in his final days he called for prayer, asked God into his life, prayed the sinner's prayer, and called upon the name of Jesus Christ to come into his heart. Trusting in the faithfulness of God, his family believes his election was sure.

Jr. leaves behind an extraordinary legacy as a basketball standout that forever shaped Benton athletics.

He was a three-year letterman for the Benton Panthers from 1982 to 1984. In 1982, he earned AAAA South All-Conference honors and was named to the Arkansas Democrat and Arkansas Gazette Super Sophomore Teams. During the 1983 season, he led the conference in scoring, averaging 27.9 points per game, and was named All-Conference, All-State, and invited to the Nike AAU National Camp where he earned All-American recognition.

In his senior season in 1984, Jr. averaged 24.9 points per game, again leading the conference in scoring. He set a school record with 48 points in a single game and became the all-time leading scorer in Benton High School history. His accolades included All-Conference, AAAA South Player of the Year, and First Team All-State honors from both the Arkansas Democrat and the Arkansas Gazette.

From 1984 to 1986, Jr. played basketball at Westark Junior College in Fort Smith, Arkansas, where he was a two-year starter for the Lions and earned All Bi-State honors during the 1985 to 1986 season. He later signed to play at Seton Hall University in New Jersey before transferring to Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond. During the 1987 to 1988 season, he was named Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Week after a perfect seven-for-seven performance from three-point range against Miami of Ohio.

In recognition of his lasting impact, Jr. was inducted into the Benton Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009.

Beyond athletics, Thomas proudly served in the United States Army and was honorably discharged due to disability.

He is survived by his loving wife, LaDonna Key Curtis of Lawton, Oklahoma; two sons, Cassius Camanse Curtis of Kalihi, Hawaii, and Mitchell Williams of Little Rock, Arkansas; two stepsons, Nicholas Hagan and William DeLa Torre, both of Lawton, Oklahoma; two brothers, Kevin Bernard Anderson Curtis of Benton, Arkansas, and Damiano Johnson Anderson of San Antonio, Texas; and two sisters, Gail Thomasa Anderson and Barbara Anita Anderson, both of Benton, Arkansas.

He also leaves behind four step-grandchildren; nieces Jerrica Stuart, Kiara Anderson Dewey, and LaShonda Jordan; nephews Stephen Lee, Jr., Keon Jordan, and Aaron Lee; along with a host of cousins, extended family members, friends, teammates, and admirers whose lives were touched by his journey.