MEMPHIS — Curtis Ray Fish, 71,
of Memphis, Tenn., passed away on Saturday, August 1, 2020. He was married to Becky Kay (McGhee) Fish for 49 years, and they were parents to three daughters: Lori Elizabeth, Katy Nell, and Lee Ellen. Curtis was a member of First Baptist Church of Star City.
Curtis was born on March 19, 1949, in Star City, Ark. After graduating from Star City High School in 1967, he attended the University of Arkansas at Monticello then transferred and graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville with a BSME (Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering) in 1973. Following graduation, Curtis was employed by International Paper Company where he worked for 31 years until retirement in 2006, with a brief stint at National Wire Fabric Corporation in Star City in 1978. His job locations included, Pine Bluff, Ark.; Mobile, Ala.; Paris, France; Kwidzyn, Poland; Cincinnati, Ohio; Birmingham, Ala.; Franklin, Va.; and lastly, Memphis, Tenn. Curtis loved (loud) music and was a self-taught bass player with the gift of playing by ear. He was a proud member of The Phantom VI, a band that was formed while he was in high school. He was also a member of Junction, a big band based in Pine Bluff, Ark.
Curtis was preceded in death by his father, Clyde Kimmel Fish, Sr.; his mother, Loreta Clary Fish; his daughter, Lori Elizabeth (Fish) Heiderscheidt; and his son-in-law William (Bill) Thomas Pearson, Jr. Survivors include his wife, Becky Kay (McGhee) Fish; his brother, Clyde “Sonny” Kimmel Fish, Jr. (Glenda) of Star City; his daughters, Katy Nell (Fish) Pearson of Cabot, and Lee Ellen (Fish) Lynch (Vaughan) of Tuscaloosa, Ala.; his son-in-law Anthony (Tony) Leo Heiderscheidt of Little Rock; his grandchildren, Madison Clare Heiderscheidt (18), Jadyn Juliette Heiderscheidt (11), and Lillian Grayce Pearson (12).
Visitation and funeral services will be held graveside at Leek Cemetery on Wednesday, August 5, 2020. Funeral will be officiated by Elwin Ollar at 11 a.m. with visitation immediately following the service. Please sign the guest book at the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Reaching for Life, a non-profit organization serving citizens of Southeast Arkansas: Reaching for Life, Inc., 113 Knight Haven Circle, Star City, Ark. 71667.
Our family respectfully recognizes the health and safety concerns that are present during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those attending the funeral are required to wear a mask, even when outdoors. Griffin Funeral Services will offer a livestream of the funeral on their Facebook page at 11 a.m. CST. Arrangements by Griffin Funeral Service in Star City. Online guestbook at www.griffinfuneralservice.net.