Curtis White

Curtis was born on November 26, 1945, in San Pedro, California to Robert and Bernice White. He graduated from John C. Fremont High School in 1963, attended Harbor College for two years and San Francisco State for one year. On August 28, 1969, he married Gee Lun Yep and raised two daughters; Catrice and Mia. Curtis was the second African American hired by the Automobile Club, Southern California and spent over fifteen years in the insurance industry. He dedicated twenty-six years of his later life as a manager for Costco.

Curtis had a love of sports and a passion for teaching, and he combined the two by coaching little league and teaching his nephews and other kids how to play baseball, basketball, golf, dominoes, and cards as well as how to bowl. He was always willing to show the youngins “how” to play. He had a magnetic personality, a big warm and bright smile, and a contagious laugh. What he was known for most was his ability to tell a story. You could feel the emotion, excitement, and thrill like you were experiencing the moment as it happened, and you almost always ended up rolling on the floor laughing by the end of the story. His love for his wife, children, grandchildren, and his burnt orange Tesla could be felt by anyone he talked with.

Curtis is survived by his two daughters; Catrice Cota and Mia Alonzo, three grandchildren; Andrew Alonzo, R.J. Cota and Zoe Alonzo, sister Michele White, and two brothers; Michael White and Robert White, Jr. He is preceded in death by his brother Freddie White, mother Bernice White, father Robert White, and wife Gee White. Curtis also leaves behind many cherished memories and a host relatives, nieces, nephews, family, and friends who loved him.

An intimate graveside service of immediate family will be held on Friday, May 15 at 10:30 a.m. at Bellevue Cemetery in Ontario in the Veterans’ section