Curtis was born to Curtis J. Blakely Sr. and Bernice M. Sidney in Washington, D.C. He was married to Barbara A. Bowman in Washington, D.C. They were joined together in Holy matrimony on 4 December 1965 by Rev. Jerry A Moore, Jr. at Nineteenth Street Baptist Church.
Curtis graduated from Western High School, Washington, D.C., in 1958, followed by a successful career in the United States Air Force. During his military career in various duty stations, he decided to continue his formal education. He attended Mount Saint Mary’s College in Maryland. There, he received his B.A. in Sociology. He completed his master’s in education at the University of Southern California. Curtis completed his Doctorate at Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri. He was among only a few NCOs to receive a doctorate. Curtis was devoted to his military career and served for 31 years (31 May 1959 to 31 May 1990), celebrating 31 years of “EXTRAORDINARY LEADERSHIP and DEDICATION”. His flag was flown over the United States Capitol on March 9, 1990, at the request of the Honorable Charles Robb, United States Senator.
Without hesitation, Curtis mentored many, encouraging hard work and the pursuit to achieve their goals. In so doing, he became a counselor at both Warwick and Heritage High Schools. He then accepted a position at Norfolk State University, where he received tenure. Continuing with his obligations to his students, faculty, and friends, he retired as Assistant Professor in the School of Education and Leadership.
Curtis was also a 33rd-degree Mason.
Throughout his educational leadership and retirement he served as Post Commander to VFW POST 176 in Newport News, Virginia and Board Chairman to the C. Waldo Scott Center for Hope also in Newport News, Virginia. He also served on various other committees.
Curtis leaves to celebrate his life, his wife Barbara, Siblings; Jacqueline B. Wright (Albert/d) and Dorothy A. Blakely, Brother-in-law; Renney O. Bowman, Sisters-in-law; Maritza T. Blakely (Sidney/d), Virginia Bowman, Arlene B. Spencer (Roosevelt, Jr.), Nephews; Paul R. Beeks Jr, (Consuelo), Lawrence K. Moore Jr., Marcus M. Moore, Shaun E. Blakely (Gwendolyn) and Raymond Williams Jr. (Naomi), and Jason R. Spencer, Nieces; Audrey D. Lawyer, Chandra A. Hite (Robert), Carmen A. Douglas, Carla L. Benoit, Nicole Y. Hughes (Rodney), Kaneish Spencer and Candi Paige. Also left to celebrate his life are a host of relatives and friends too numerous to mention.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, July 19, 2025, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., with a funeral service following at 2:00 p.m., at Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, Virginia 23601. Burial will be held in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
15 Comments
Praying for the entire Blakely families and friends. Dr. Blakely and I worked for many years with NNPS (Warwick HS/Denbigh HS). What a class-act man and a great sense of humor. RIP my friend.
Eric Hairston, Hampton, VA
God makes no mistakes. My sincere condolences are extended to the family of Dr. Blakely. He was a former coworker of mine at Warwick High School, Newport News, Virginia. It was such a joy and learning experience to have worked with him.
My uncle has been a father figure to me my entire life and I’m completely crushed that I’ll never hear his voice again nor will I see him. He accepted my husband Rodney from the first conversation they had over the phone before meeting him at our father’s funeral. I’m just in disbelief because my husband and I spoke with Uncle Brother/Aunt Barbra two weeks before his passing and now we’re laying him to rest….💔He was “ THAT DUDE WHO HAD SWAG AND LAUGHTER “ we will seriously miss him ( my best friend….I love you forever,Bird🕊️💔your niece/daughter
Barbara
I just heard about the passing of Curt.
He was a wonderful man and a very thoughtful ex- neighbor. My children adored him. I am sorry for your loss.
Gwen and Kenny Banks
I will miss Curtis, his brilliance and his soft spoken manner. He is in God’s care now. May pleasant memories also reside in your hearts.
I will miss Curtis, his brilliance and his soft spoken manner. He is in God’s care now. May pleasant memories also reside in your hearts.
Dr. Blakely you were a joy to be around, so passionate about the work you did and very instrumental in me becoming an LPC and CSAC you will be missed. Sending my sincerest condolences to your family 🙏🏽
Dr. Blakely… Wow.
This is so hard to write. You were truly an amazing person — one of the best. I thank God that our paths crossed. You taught me so much, not just academically, but about life, integrity, and love.
You were more than a professor — you were a mentor, a guide, and for so many of us, like a second parent. The way you treated your students, with such care and respect, left a mark that will never fade. We felt seen, valued, and inspired.
Your words of wisdom, your acts of love, and your constant kindness will continue to live through each of us. The impact you had is immeasurable.
I love you deeply. May you rest in peace. 🕊️
I am praying for the Blakely family. Dr. Blakely was an extraordinary leader and mentor to so many people. I am so grateful to God for allowing our paths to cross at Norfolk State University. His passion and commitment to excellence was above approach and was always available to help his students out in any way that he could. His legacy, lives on in the lives that he touch. Thank you Dr. B for all that you’ve done for me and so many others. May God’s comfort and strength remain with the family. In Jesus Christ’s name amen.
Dr. Curtis Blaksly, a great man the will be truly missed. His legacy will live on in his students, friends, and family.
Dr. Blakely was a fine teacher and mentor on the collegiate level. May he rest in peace! Prayers for his family and the NSU family who will miss him dearly!
My dear “Uncle Brother”, yes, that’s what we called him! Dr. Curtis James Blakely Jr., a very unique, kind and loving gentleman! Nothing negative in his DNA!! A dedicated educator, mentor and an inspiration to all he encountered! His passion for learning and helping others made a lasting impact on the lives of many. I honor his life with respect, dignity and to inspire others. RIP UNK 🕊🌹💓
Condolences
Barbara,
My mother in law, Patricia Byrd, said that Mr. Curt just passed. We are so sorry to hear of his passing. You both were such lovely people and wonderful x- neighbors.
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
My name is Sylvia Jones and I too have a heavy heart today as we say goodbye to our friend Dr. Curtis J. Blakely Jr.
My Ex-husband and I met Curtis in 1976 when we were enrolled in the Master of Education Program at the University of Southern California in Tokyo, Japan. While we lived in Japan, we developed a friendship with Curtis and Barbara that is nearly 50 years old.
Curtis had a keen sense of humor that was welcomed by his family and friends. As we traveled together, I observed that Curtis never met a person he couldn’t communicate with even if they didn’t speak the same language. Curtis’s kindness was always being displayed wherever he was.
So often, over the years members of the Jones Family were fortunate in that we could run career opportunities or ideas by Curtis for his honest input or feedback. He was always able to give us wonderful words of wisdom.
On most Saturdays for many years, Barbara and I have had our weekly phone chats. During the last few months Barbara would have Curtis on speaker phone, and he always started the conversation with “hey I’m awake! The truth be known sometimes he would slip a nap in on the conversation and still wake up and say “hey I’m awake’. That’s our Curtis!
I recently ran across this poem ….to share:
A happy butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam
And for a brief moment it’s glow and beauty belong to our world
But then it flies away….
And although we wish he could have stayed….
We feel lucky to have had these memories
Author Unknown
Curtis, thank you for the memories my family will continue to hold on to.