Curtis Oliver Wainwright

Curtis Oliver Wainwright, my heart and my champion , slipped away in the early morning hours of Aug 10, 2021. He fought a valiant fight against covid.

Curtis was a world class athlete who competed as a member of the USAPL, a brotherhood of the most powerful men and women in drug-free Powerlifting.
He holds many national - as well as world records in the Squat and deadlift, many of his competitions can be viewed on YouTube. He proudly served as a Coach in many competitions. He competed in the Nationals this past June in Daytona, Fl and won a spot on the team heading to Sweden in October for the world IPF Meet. As a member of this elite team, he has competed in multiple cities that span across the entire United States, as well as the countries of Africa, Argentina, Calgary, Sweden, Finland, Belarus, Cayman Islands and the Czech Republic. These competitions provided opportunity for extensive traveling, and making lifelong endearing friendships. Curtis dearly loved his Powerlifting family. He is a proud member of the Alabama Powerlifting Hall of Fame, as well as the Batesville Sports Hall of Fame. He was the owner of a small gym, the Workout, which opened in Citronelle in 1980. It was later relocated to Saraland and operated for many years training young athletes.
His family relocated to Batesville, Arkansas in March 1967 where he was quickly adopted as a beloved member, whose tight bond of love and friendship continue to this day. He dearly loved his Class of ‘73 at Batesville High School.

Curtis loved life. He cooked beans in the mountains of Arkansas, at the annual Beanfest and Outhouse Races in Mountainview. He entertained the many many people who watched him cook and listened to his tales that he would spin. He had an extensive knowledge of history, and a deep love of music that would routinely find their way into his many stories that he would tell. His love of Blugrass music brought him to the hills of Kentucky where he developed deep friendships with many of the best musicians.

He lived a life that was not wasted. His role in life has been to hold people up and give them loving support. He was a man of compassion who would cut the grass of his neighbors, pay for your purchase at the store, he loved to cook for others, he was a health coach and encourager. He volunteered at inner city schools, loving those children and teaching them as a Father. He adopted a class of second graders at Peter Joe Hamilton, and taught them sportsmanship, gardening, cooking, how to square dance - where they were videoed and highlighted on the Cumberland Highlander show. As this class moved up thru each grade, he followed them through middle school, feeding into them his wisdom. He received recognition as Man of the Year for his work and love of these children.

His son Jon was diagnosed at the age of 3 with autism. Though Jon never spoke a word, he had a voice thru his dad, who was lovingly called ‘Tal’.
Curtis was Jon’s companion and his buddy, and the General and recruiter for ‘Jon’s Army.’ Though Jon has lived in Birmingham for many years, his dad never failed to make that 9 hour trip to get his boy and bring him home every month without fail for a visit. They had a routine they followed daily that included hours of riding in Curt’s old truck with the windows down. Curt was a strong advocate for individuals with Autism. He sat on the Board of Directors for Springhill School for special children. He also sat on the panel of the Special Education Advisory Panel.

Without a doubt, the most important aspect of Curtis’ life was his family. His family was his strength, his joy in life. He was raised in a large family whose tight knit bond was mutual love and respect. His cousins were as his siblings.

His crowning jewels were his children and grandchildren. His desire was to pour into them the wisdom that he carried, just as his own grandfather had poured into him. They were his heart and the breath in his lungs.

No one loved life as much as Curtis Wainwright. He loved people. He loved helping, coaching, mentoring and serving. He loved his friends, new and old. He loved sitting with old folks and talking about old days. He loved Christmas, and every other opportunity to gather with loved ones. He loved the peace and tranquillity of the back porch swing, or being out in the sunshine. He loved the spirit of wonder in a child’s eyes. He loved treating his Leslie to a cup of coffee or a banana split. He loved the rush of a good workout. He even loved the hot, Alabama weather. He never missed an opportunity to make a stranger smile.
He was a faithful and devoted husband to Leslie for 45 beautiful years, filled with love and adventure.
Curtis worked as a lab specialist in the oilfield for 39 years. He started his career at Getty Oil Co, which merged with Texaco, and later still, merged with Chevron. He was a problem solver who gave his time to whoever sat down in his office. He also served 4 years as a city councilman on the Citronelle city council. He was involved wherever he was in the community. He walked many miles on the walking path of Amelia park and made many strong friendships there.
This has been quite a journey, PawPaw. The 45 years we had together were amazing. I will love you forever...
Curtis is survived by his wife, Leslie; his Daughter, Savanna Cashion (Matt); Son, Jon Curtis Wainwright; grandchildren, Matalyn Rose, Ryden Curtis, and Owen Matthew; sisters, Marlaine Byrd, Linda Flemming (Bill), Dina O'Brien (Dane), Janet Gray (Chester), Karen Harris, Debbie Baxter, Missy Richardson, and Leina Lucas; brothers, Roger Wainwright, Rick Richardson (Margaret), Tim Richardson (Judy), and Darrell Richardson (Lisa); aunts, Vickie Lankford and Mildred (Aunt Penny) Prades; numerous nieces, nephews, double first cousins, cousins, and friends.

The family will receive friends from 9:00am until the 10:00am funeral service Saturday, August 14, 2021, at Freeman Funeral Home with Pastor Bill Allen from Batesville, Arkansas, and Pastor Stan Clayton from Citronelle officiating. Burial will follow in Pine Crest Cemetery. Pallbearers include Dallas Malone, Fred Lott, Jeromy Bunch, Trey Goodwin, Tim Richardson, Damien Baxter, Billy Flemming, and Kenny Wainwright. Honorary pallbearers include the Batesville High School Class of '73, all teammates from USAPL, "T-Gang", Amelia Park Walking Gang, and special recognition to Ernie Parkes (England) and Truls Kristensen (Norway).

A live stream of the services may be seen on Facebook under the Freeman Funeral Home - Citronelle page.

Donations may be made to Glenwood Adult Services in Birmingham in memory of Curtis and in honor of Jon at https://glenwood.org/services-resources/services/adult-services/. Online condolences may be given at www.freemancitronelle.com. Freeman Funeral Home - Citronelle, Alabama