Curtis Brown Crosson

Curtis was born in 1937 in Tampa, during the waning years of the Great Depression. He grew up with two brothers and a sister and enjoyed a boyhood filled with baseball, fishing and swimming in sinkholes and ponds, plus the occasional wrestling match with brothers Ray and Donald.

A graduate of Hillsborough High School (class of 1955), Curtis went on to own a painting business in which he provided commercial and residential painting services to several Tampa automotive dealerships, the Tampa Dog Track, and residences in Palma Ceia and Hyde Park,

He met and married Mary Bradberry Davidson in 1965, and they enjoyed a long relationship of 55 years until her passing in December of 2020.

Curtis and Mary moved to Land O Lakes in 1991 to enjoy retirement on a small lake which allowed Curtis to fish as much as he liked, often every morning.

Besides fishing Curtis also greatly enjoyed baseball and fast-pitch softball. As a member of several fast-pitch teams in Tampa, Curtis became a highly skilled hurler, and threw several no-hitters against various opponents over the years in which he played. He sometimes played on the same team as his brother Ray.

Curtis was an active member at El Bethel Baptist Church in Tampa and First Baptist Church of Land O’ Lakes.

The family wishes to thank the caregivers and staff at Advent Health Care Center Zephyrhills North and Gulfside Hospice.

Curtis is survived by his daughter, Debra Schlaughenhoupt (George); son, Darril Davidson; brother, Ray Crosson; sister, Shirley Smith; grandson, Ryan Davidson. He was predeceased by his wife, Mary; brother Donald; parents, Elijah Preston Crosson and Mattie B. Crosson.

A funeral service for Curtis will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at Blount & Curry Funeral Home at Garden of Memories, 4207 East Lake Avenue, Tampa, Florida. Interment to follow in Myrtle Hill Memorial Park, 4228 East Lake Avenue, Tampa, Florida. The family will receive friends one hour before the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Gulfside Hospice, 2061 Collier Pkwy, Land O' Lakes, FL 34639.