Robert Courtney Lutz

Robert “Courtney” Lutz, age 77, passed away Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 12:29AM at his home in Rossville, TN. He was born January 22, 1949, in Shelby County, TN to the late Stanley Milward and Virginia Eppy Lutz. He was a member of Cana Underground Church in Collierville, TN.

Courtney grew up in a poor area of south Memphis, TN., the sixth of eight children. His father, Dr. Stanley Lutz, was pastor of a small church where his mother was a gifted pianist. Courtney was 9 years old when his father passed away. This tragedy eventually lead to the dissolution of the family and the children were put into orphanages by the state. Courtney went to Memphis Boys Town along with two of his brothers. Later he graduated from Horn Lake High School before being drafted to the United States military where he then served a year in Vietnam. He was an expert rifleman and grenadier, finishing his tour with intelligence unit operations.

After an honorable discharge, he continued working on truck lines, and then spent 8 years as a district and division manager with the Commercial Appeal newspaper. He then started a small, part-time business, Courtney’s Luv Buds, while simultaneously starting a career with FedEx. Being the secret genius many knew him to be, he devised a call center structure at FedEx which was globally adopted though he received minimal credit for this innovation. In retirement, he was not one to be slowed down and would later create and serve as president of two neighborhood associations, first in Olive Branch, MS and later in Rossville, TN.

As a young adult, by his own admission, Courtney wrestled with PTSD and substance addiction. Later, having overcome these struggles through the Holy Spirit, he dedicated much of his later years sponsoring other men in their recovery including other veterans. He was ever grateful that his faith in Jesus allowed him to make amends to so many and to enjoy an incredibly blessed life.

Courtney loved to take road trips across the country with his family and never once met a stranger. He brought many family and friends to the cabins at Petit Jean State Park for over forty years. He enjoyed long hours working on the ranch and relaxing with reruns of “Cops” on the television, but no hobby captured his attention as much as the game of golf which he enjoyed regularly for decades.

At First Baptist Church in Olive Branch, MS, Courtney and Janet served on a Honduras mission trip where Courtney delivered the closing message about recovery to a mountainside village. Later at High Point Church he served as a greeter and small group leader along with Janet.

He is survived by his wife, Janet May Lutz; daughters Tanya Lutz McFadden and Courtney Renee Lutz Diaz (Chris), son Tyler Shane Lutz (Jennie), stepchildren Dustin May (Mary Jane), Tabitha Artz (Josh), and Arthur May (Delayna); granddaughters Madison Parker and Nicole McFadden; grandsons Dylan McFadden, Foster Diaz, and Cross Diaz; great-grandson Mikey Stallings; sisters Ruth Dwiggins and Mary Robinson (Ron); and brother Joe Lutz.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, sisters Trudy Lutz Baroni, Loretta Lutz Fullerton, brothers Richard Lutz and Jim “Jimboy” Lutz, and his sweet daughter Vickie Michelle Lutz.

Visitation will be on Saturday, April 25th, 2026 at 9:00 AM at Family Funeral Care located at 4925 Summer Ave, Memphis, TN 38122 with a memorial service to follow at 10:00 AM. For those wishing to join, there will be a catered lunch at 1:00 PM at Courtney & Janet’s home at 2615 Knox Rd. Rossville, TN 38066