Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
About
Curtis Tom Obituary
There will only be a private service. His ashes will be buried next to his father, Ping Tom, in Mount Auburn Cemetery in Stickney, Illinois. He is survived by his mother, Valerie, and older brother, Darryl.
Family and friends remember Curtis as sweet, loving and kind, loyal and generous to those he loved, smiling, laughing, and gentle.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Donald Towne
May 17, 2025
A delightful memory is the summer evening when Curtis gave me a tour of Chinatown. He showed me where his father's and aunt's businesses were and described his childhood experience there. Dinner and ice cream followed. He was a wonderful person full of life and joy.
My condolences to his family and friends.
Chris Krolczyk
May 10, 2025
Goodbye, Curtis. I'm not sure how many years (decades, even) you either gamed or hung out with us, but the time was far too short.
How you can show support
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Paul Behen
May 7, 2025
Sincere condolences to the Tom family. Curtis was a kind and soft spoken porch neighbor here at The Denifer. He always had a smile on his face! We will miss you!
Beth Uyenco
May 7, 2025
Rest in peace, dear Curtis. I feel fortunate to have known you, a most kind and gentle friend.
Richard A Gilbert
May 6, 2025
His memory and his smile will be remembered as long as I live.
Frontrunners/Frontwalkers Chicago
May 6, 2025
Curtis was such a a genuinely good person, valued by so many. He was always there when you needed him, ready to lend a hand. We are so grateful to have been part of his journey.
Jeff Spapperi
May 5, 2025
May you only roll "20"s from now on...
Michelle Giliberto
May 5, 2025
Curtis was one of the sweetest, kindest human being I know. He so was adorable as a 4 year old child and handsome as an adult. I have known him almost my whole life and was deeply heartbroken by the news. My heart goes out to your family. He will never be forgotten.
Christopher J Almanza
May 5, 2025
Gone far too soon. I will miss him dearly. We never did get a chance to get back to golfing. I rolled a 20 when I met him and befriended him.
Don Snyder
May 5, 2025
I will always cherish the memory of his friendship.
Regine Rousseau
May 5, 2025
I have great memories of Curtis. Always kind, graceful and a lover of people and food. Rest in Peace.
Jerry Darcy
May 2, 2025
Curtis was my dear friend in college and the best man at my wedding.
Curtis meant a lot to a whole group of us from Hampshire College. He was a part of our nerdy tribe, and we loved him very much.
In college, he was the car guy. He drove us around to all the comic book stores and bowling alleys and late night diners. He was this quiet, reserved guy who was nevertheless a deeply beloved part of our tribe. When it was his time to graduate, the lot of us ran over, picked him up, and carried him to graduation, while he half-laughed, half screamed in terror (we were not strong).
I'll remember the endless runs to get Magic cards, the battles in Mortal Combat, complaining to him about my girl troubles, seeing the director's cut of Blade Runner with him and debating endlessly on the lore, and bemoaning Highlander 2 in all its terrible glory.
We battled monsters together, we transitioned from our teenage selves to burgeoning adulthood together. He was a quiet presence, but an absence you keenly felt when he wasn't there.
Of all of us from Hampshire, he was the kindest, the most generous, the best of us.
He was nervous going off to law school, and I remember giving him a pep talk. He was standing next to me when I got the phone call when I got my first adult job.
He and I went to Hawaii once - we hadn't seen each other for about 10 years after college, and just decided, what the heck? We went on hikes through the rainforest, watched lava, saw a very angry Japanese bride storm out of wedding (a story he and I endlessly wondered about), watched reruns of The Critic, and discovered that banapples are a real thing.
I got to see him this last October. I flew out there and took him to a concert, and I'm really grateful I had that time.
To all of those that knew him - quiet, sometimes enigmatic introvert, full of kindness, but with the wit of the devil - I hope, like me, you'll carry his funny chuckle and wide grin with you.
I'm so sorry he's gone. I share your loss.
I'll miss you forever Curtis.
Showing 1 - 18 of 18 results
Make a Donation
in Curtis Tom's name
How to support Curtis's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Curtis Tom's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
