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Earl "The Twirl" Cureton
1957 - 2024
Earl "The Twirl" Cureton
1957 - 2024
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1957
DIED
2024
Earl Cureton Obituary
Earl "The Twirl" Cureton was an NBA player and college standout who excelled at the University of Detroit Mercy and played pro ball with the Philadelphia 76ers, Detroit Pistons, and others.
We invite you to share condolences for Earl Cureton in our Guest Book.
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(Photo: Monica Morgan/WireImage)
30 Entries
Robin
March 6, 2025
Sending prayers and comfort to his family.
H Lewis
February 7, 2025
May God give you strength and comfort during this difficult time. I am so sorry for your loss. Sending sincere condolences and prayers to his family and friends. He will be greatly missed. Please take comfort in knowing that he touched the lives of many.
Herbert Mays
July 24, 2024
My best memory of Earl was when he, Terry Duerod,Turono Anderson, used to hang out in'78 outside the Cody Apts on Fullerton Ave. Backgammon & Acey Duecy was a welcomed end to workouts!!
Tony
March 29, 2024
To the family, many, many friends, and fans of Mr. Earl "The Twirl" Cureton fine comfort with you during this difficult time in your lives. Mr. Earl "The Twirl" Cureton was an NBA player and college standout who excelled at the University of Detroit Mercy and played pro ball with the Philadelphia 76ers, Detroit Piston. May you find comfort in your wealth of fond memories together with Mr. Earl "The Twirl" Cureton. May the God of comfort bless your grieving hearts with strength, loving kindness and peace as the world copes with the loss of Mr. Earl "The Twirl" Cureton. We will never forget that he was a wonderful basketball player of this great game, what a tremendous goal and accomplishment.
How you can show support
TJ
February 10, 2024
Sending condolences to the Cureton family. Rest in heaven, Earl.
Windsor Ontario
February 10, 2024
Detroit was blessed by Earl´s loyalty and commitment. He gave from his heart as he connected with people, especially youth. May his light continue to shine and his legacy live on! Thank you, Earl for ALL that you gave. You´ve inspired many. Our friendship endured over 40 plus years. Rest easy until we meet again.
Toney (BigPoppa) Moore
February 10, 2024
We came together through basketball but we found out we both Virgos and September babies only 13 days apart we were brothers from then on...one of the best for sure...going to miss you
Regina
February 10, 2024
My Sincere Condolences to The Family and Friends of our very own Detroit Legend and my Bewick Friend for Eternity
RIH Earl
James Morris aka Cappy
February 10, 2024
I enjoyed driving you down to Philly to pin mountain in that 73 Cutllis to start your career with the 76ers.The memories will stay on forever. Rest will my Friend
Faye R
February 10, 2024
My Condolences to the Cureton Family. The City of Detroit has loss a Tremendous Leader. I am so proud of the work, support and time he has put into our city. Very few stick around, but those that have, especially Mr. Cureton have made a great impact on so many lives on so many levels. It has been a great pleasure seeing his involvement with our city and our youth. I know the works you have done never be forgotten. Rest In Heaven Mr. Cureton
Victoria Cross
February 10, 2024
Rest in peace my friend! You will be missed. Earl was a frequent guest at a restaurant I worked at. His smile brightened the room. My love for basketball made us friends and then one day, my high school daughter called me at work in a panic as she had a paper due the next day on someone who made an impact on people. Earl asked me if everything was okay. When I explained, he said, "Tell me where and when and I will BE THERE". Yes, Earl was that person that not only brightened a room, made an impact on people, but gave with all his heart. Thank you, Earl, for being a friend, a life saver, and a wonderful person. Keep the game going for when we all see you again!
Ada Clay
February 10, 2024
I met Earl Cureton when we both attended U of D. He was obviously more than a great basketball player. He was a gentleman. My condolences to his family and friends. Rest in Heaven.
Bennie J. Hayden, Jr.
February 9, 2024
I met Earl during my time as a student at U-D. We hit it off because of mutual friends with ties to St. Bernard and Brewer Rec. - which were proving grounds for young athletes in middle school growing up in our east side Detroit neighborhood. After U-D, I followed his career, and we were able to reconnect in Houston when Earl was with the 76ers. Hanging out with Earl, Ed (Mojo) Johnson (RIP) - another Detroiter living in Houston at the time, and his 76er teammates (including Dr. J) was something you never forget and from time to time is a story I still share with people to this day. Earl never forgot his roots or where he came from, and I always respected that about him. I am very proud of everything Earl accomplished in his professional and personal life. It has been a good while since we last spoke and I regret that.
I'd like to offer my condolences to Earl's family in this time of sorrow. Earl, I know you are in a good place Bruh and kicking it with Mojo. May you rest in Peace.
Emanuel rivers
February 9, 2024
I'm from River Rouge and remember earl since high school. May god bless his precious family.
MICHAEL John HUDSON
February 9, 2024
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always. Hello from Michael Hudson, from Finney Highlander.
MICHAEL John HUDSON
February 9, 2024
Rueben Washington
February 9, 2024
Earl was a very positive, kind individual that you loved to be around. He always had something positive to say.
Pat Green
February 9, 2024
My Condolence for the loss of your husband, father,brother and uncle.
Alex Hale
February 9, 2024
Earl was one of the most positive people you could ever meet and a class act. RIP
Kevin Taylor
February 7, 2024
Earl was a class act and kind thoughtful man who will be sadly missed.
Elizabeth Bell
February 6, 2024
Rip Earl
Sheryl Y Kennedy
February 6, 2024
The professional basketball community knew Earl Cureton as a legendary superstar. I knew him as an involved and protective father of his beautiful and brilliant daughter. But even after his daughter was no longer a Geisler student, he continued to come back to connect with my boys who needed male guidance. He always managed to provide our school free Pistons tickets for behavior rewards, and sometimes would just come by to ask, "How's it going?". He was a giant of a man, not by height, but by character. The last time I saw him was after I had left the school. Then serving in the MI House, I saw him on a plane, both of us heading to DC. I was going for state business. He was flying out, always the concerned father, to spend time with his daughter, now a homesick freshman at Georgetown, to give her a pep-talk, and just be "the dad." Condolences to Mrs. Cureton and Suri. I will pray for healing and comfort of friends and family during this difficult time.
Gina Peoples
February 6, 2024
Sending my deepest condolences and prayers to the Cureton family. Earl was a beautiful person. He will definitely be missed. I always looked forward to seeing Earl when I came to LCA Players Club. His smile brightened anyone's day. And is one of the reasons I enjoyed my tenure in the Players Club. We had a special way of greeting one another. Wakanda forever! It won't be the same at LCA, Players Club without Earl. Earl's personality and fun loving spirit was priceless. Thanks, Earl for looking out for me and checking on me to find if I were OK when you didn't see me in the Players Club. I appreciated the sentiment. May you rest in love with our Heavely Father.
Gina Peoples
Michael Cureton
February 6, 2024
I will miss Cousin Earl. We first met as teenagers when my family visited Detroit from Cincinnati. Earl always had a basketball in his hands. Later, when he played for Detroit Mercy in a game against Xavier of Cincinnati, Earl was so dominant he was named player of the week of all of Cincinnati by a local TV station. When he turned pro, I was lucky to travel from Boston to LA as the Sixers became world champions. I have so many memories of meeting the greats of the NBA that Earl introduced me to. Earl Cureton was a great and kind man; I also had great seats, sometimes right behind the bench. I can't forget Earl and how generous and kind he was to me-gone too soon.
Mark Sleboda
February 6, 2024
It was an honor sitting with him for Horizon League basketball games. I'm a free lance writer and he welcomed me graciously at Calihan Hall or on the road. May he rest in peace and comfort to the family in knowing this.
RB
February 6, 2024
Prayers for the Cureton family, sincerely sorry for your loss. May God be with you all as you endure this very difficult time.
Fred Glisper Jr.
February 6, 2024
Just seeing him on TV news programs always with a smile and so very knowledgeable.
William Wade
February 5, 2024
It was a blessing knowing you and playning against you. You are a special person and God has a special place for you. In heaven, you will be missed. My friend rest in peace.
CM
February 5, 2024
Sincere condolences to family and friends.
Tom McLaughlin
February 5, 2024
Earl Cureton was a tremendous human being that made this world a better place and he always put Judith and his lovely daughter first. He was so proud of her playing basketball at Georgetown - I remember Earl calling me to tell me she was going to Georgetown he was just so happy.
The reason I knew Earl so well is I was fortunate and represented him
for all these years. I had clients like Robert Parish, Byron Scott, LaPhonso Ellis, Bill Cartwright, David Rivers and many more and Earl was right up there as one of the nicest. He was a gentleman and just a regular guy. Everyone liked Earl
and he had a gift of making people smile. When you were with Earl you were always with a true friend.
May he RIP! God Bless you and your family and you lived a great life and made Detroit and this world a better place. Every place you played you made an impact. I know for a fact Houston would have never won the NBA Championship without your leadership being down in the Finals!
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