Curtis Lee Davis Jr. was born on November 17, 1966 in New Haven, Connecticut to the late Curtis and Helen Davis. He attended and graduated from Smithfield High School in 1984. After high school, Curtis enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and attended Recruit Training at Parris Island, SC. In 1988, he met the love of his life, Melissa Davis. The two were married June 16, 1990.

Sergeant Davis served as a Finance Technician, until he was assigned to Recruiting Duty in 1991, and assigned to Recruiting Station Dallas, in the challenging area of South Dallas in Oak Cliff. Sergeant Davis excelled, winning multiple awards during his three-year tour.

Staff Sergeant Davis was assigned as the Finance Chief at Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point in North Carolina in 1994. He was called back to Recruiting Duty in 1995, to take over a struggling Recruiting Station in Memphis, Tennessee. He excelled, winning Station of the Year honors, and was reassigned to another tough challenge in Metro Little Rock Arkansas. Gunnery Sergeant Davis won Station of the Year honors again, while leading six recruiters and getting two Marines promoted.

Gunny Davis was then assigned as the Recruiter-Instructor for the state of Arkansas, supervising 65 Recruiters across the 400 square miles, becoming the YOUNGEST Recruiter-Instructor in the 8th Marine Corps District.
When Recruiting Station Little Rock closed its doors, he was transferred back to Dallas in Oak Cliff, where he led an underperforming team to consistent victories and winning Station of the Year honors, while three of his Marines got meritoriously promoted under his watch.

Master Sergeant Davis took the reins of Recruiting Station Dallas as the Recruiter-Instructor with 105 Marines under his supervision in the Metroplex. With nothing left to professionally accomplish in his illustrious career, Master Sergeant Davis retired after 22 years of honest and faithful service. While serving his country, Curtis received numerous awards and metals for his great accomplishments. While working in the private sector in Sales, Curtis decided to attend school where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business in 2014. Curtis held his last position as a Regional Sales Manager with J.M. Huber Corporation, where they became his family.

Curtis is remembered by his peers as a patient mentor and unselfish leader who genuinely cared about his Marines and their families. He knew their spouses, children and what made the Marines “Tick”. Curtis was an outstanding Marine. He loved his family and friends and never met a stranger. He was a genuine, kind, loving person and always thought of others before himself. Curtis was a dedicated husband, brother, uncle, friend, co-worker and so much more to all. He loved to coach, mentor, watch his son’s basketball games and most importantly spend time with family.

On April 27, 2021 at 11:00 am, Curtis was called home to be with the Lord. He is preceded in death by his parents, Curtis and Helen Davis; son, Martell Derouen. Curtis leaves to cherish his memory: his wife, Melissa Davis; his sons, Skylar Derouen stationed at RAF in Mildenhall, England; Curtis Lee Davis III of Bremerhaven, Germany, brother; Grover Davis (Miranda) of New Haven, Connecticut, sister; Lecia Phillips (Carl) of Chesapeake, Virginia; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.