Curtis Douglas Hensley III's Obituary
Curtis Douglas Hensley, III transitioned to his heavenly home on November 24, 2025.
Born on February 3, 1968, to the late Curtis D. Hensley, Jr. and to Theresse R. Hensley at the Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. He had one sibling, a sister, Erika Monique.
Curtis was genuinely a happy and energetic child. All he wanted to do was play. He’d play his little heart out engaging with whomever, wherever he could. He was a quick learner, so whatever the game, he was ready. He could also entertain himself quite effectively with puzzles, trucks and mini race cars complete with tracks. Occasionally, he would sit long enough to watch programs like Sesame Street.
Curtis was a smart and talented young man. In school he demonstrated exceptional reading skills and was able to read 495 words a minute with a retention rate of 95%. He earned a perfect score on his college placement exam at Lincoln University. He won numerous medals and outstanding awards for his accomplishments in track and field.
Nonetheless, in his youth Curtis never wanted to shine above others. He just wanted to be accepted for who he was as a person.
As an adult, Curtis pursued excellence in his work, striving to be the best at what he did. As a logistics professional, he was diligent and committed to improving every company he worked for, with an unwavering certainty of making things better than they were before. Organization was one of his strengths, “Give it to me and I’ll make it happen” he would say. His focus, RESULTS! He was a workaholic, valuing loyalty both from himself and others. He would take a day off here and there but in thirty plus years of working he rewarded himself with a real vacation, maybe four times.
Curtis claimed to be a nonconformist and an introvert. He often told me, “Mom I just don’t think like everybody else”. In reply I would say, “No you just want to do things your way and in some cases that means not following someone else’s rules”. But “my way works”, he’d say. Together we’d say, “Most of the time”. And then we’d laugh. Yes, we argued many times over his opinions vs. mine. But ultimately, Curtis stood by his convictions and took responsibility for the decisions he made whether good or bad. He didn’t recover easily from heartbreak, unjustifiable blame or disappointment. After experiencing bullying as an adolescent, he refused to tolerate it as an adult.
Curtis was a simple and sensitive guy. He loved, loved, loved his family! When he had plenty, everybody had plenty! He loved hunting, an acquired passion from his maternal grandfather, fishing, from his dad. His favorite rifle (Big Bertha) was custom made. I still have the quarter he shot dead center from 200 yards away. As a member of the NRA and with connected friends, he competed alongside the best of Maryland State Police Officers. By the way, we have three stuffed Boar Head Trophies available, if anyone is interested, please see Autumn or Theresse. He also liked bowling, darts, chess, and aviation.
Curtis also loved his pets, dogs and cats: Pepper, Smokey, Chi-Chi, Angel, Kitty, Prince, Enzo and Chico. He would be deeply effected by the loss of each and every one of them. If you needed someone to babysit your 50lb. pit bull, Curtis was your guy. If you could no longer keep your cat, Curtis stepped up, “I’ll take him”! Curtis changed his family’s perception of pit bulls; fear at first, love in the end. His dogs were his best friends. Of Enzo and Chico respectively, his companionship and unconditional love “is my everyday Mom” he’d often say. Although Chico was not as animal friendly as Enzo, Curtis would fight for his rights to walk public streets like any other dog. And somehow, he managed to convince every police officer who was called to the scene regarding a “black man walking a “ferocious Pitbull”, of Chico’s rights. Montgomery County Police knew Chico well. After a while, they’d get out of there cars saying “Oh that’s just Chico” followed by a pat and a rub. Curtis took better care of his pets than he did of himself.
Curtis was kindhearted and one of the good guys. He was more about doing for or helping others instead of himself. He was the guy who ran through a smoke-filled apartment building, banging on doors to ensure everyone was out before the fire trucks arrived. Dial 911 and intervene when witnessing a woman being assaulted. He was among the few to rush to the scene of an accident to help pull a man from his car screaming, “I don’t want to die” and the one to go to the aid of a person seizing on the train while everyone else just watched. He was the good guy to bring a homeless young man to his home to give him a pillow, a blanket and food. I’d caution him often, “honey why do you keep putting yourself in harms way”. “Mom, he would say, “it happens to me so often it seems. I figure I’m there, at that moment, for a reason. I feel compelled to help those in need”. “Not to worry Mom, I’m fine”.
Curtis leaves behind a legacy of love for those who truly knew him. To mourn his earthly departure, foremost his devoted mother and friend, Theresse (Joe, as Curtis affectionately referred to as dad). A loving daughter, Autumn (Jaylen), the second apple of his eye, his grandson Jaiden. His sister and partner in crime, Erika, nieces, Kennedy and Jayden, nephew, Blake, a close aunt and uncle, Deidra and Irving, their son Jason, his godparents, Jimmy and Gloria as well as a host of other family members and friends.
We trust dear Lord that in Curtis’ final hours you granted him calm and peace, no more worries, anxiety, or pain. We believe your angels guided him through your heavenly gates and into his eternal home where his long-desired “log cabin in the woods with his dog” awaited him!
Alleluia!
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