Herbert Curtis III

Herbert Curtis III was born on October 17, 1947 to Evelyn King Curtis and Herbert Curtis II, in Cleveland Ohio. He accepted Christ as his personal savior at a young age at Mt. Olive Baptist Church under the direction of Reverend Leroy Kelly.

As a young child Herbert was kind-hearted, hard-working, and inquisitive; he had a thirst for knowledge. He was tasked with being the “little man of the family” very early in life. When he had time, he loved reading, music, basketball and track. As a youngster, he had strong opinions and wasn’t afraid to express them.

Herb, or Herbie, as people lovingly called him, made great achievements in his short lifetime. He was a true “self-made man,” earning a cross country track scholarship to college, where he majored in history and political science. After graduating, Herb taught civics at Roxboro Middle School while attending Cleveland-Marshall College of Law at night. In 1975, Herb moved to Ventura, CA, where he worked as a District Attorney. In October of 1984, Herb achieved a lifelong goal and was appointed to the Ventura County Municipal Court. He was reelected twice and began teaching contracts at Ventura College of Law. Ultimately, Herb became a Superior Court Judge: the first and only African American to hold this role in the history of Ventura County.

He was a man of great status and achievement, yet his proudest and most recognized accomplishment was the birth of and tremendous love that he held in his heart for his daughters, Rachel and Kimberly, and later his granddaughters, Ava and Clara. In Herb’s mind there was no greater accomplishment than that of being a father and a grandfather.

Herb loved people and people loved Herb. His kind heart and generous nature is rare. The sudden and unexpected loss of his earthly presence on February 6, 2017 is devastating to his family and friends, but God makes no mistakes and he is resting in peace with both his mother, who passed away in July of 2016, and his father, who passed away in February of 2013.

Herbert is survived by his daughter, Kimberly Lauren Curtis; daughter and son-in-law, Rachel Curtis Skinner and Andrew Skinner; grandchildren, Ava and Clara Skinner; sisters, Harriet Curtis-Boles, Judy Robinson and Alisa Thomas; nieces, Kristen Marie Boles, Lauren Ashlee Bacchus, and Evelyn Lee Williams; nephew, Keith Alexander Bacchus; and his brothers- in-law. Herbie will be truly missed by a host of close loved ones, extended family, and friends.

We have a deep appreciation for everyone who knew Herb and who wants to attend his memorial service.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2017, 10:00 AM, at the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara, 1535 Santa Barbara Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101.

Should friends desire, contributions may be sent to NAACP Ventura County, P.O. Box 5792, Oxnard, CA 93031. If you prefer to send flowers, please contact

Victor the Florist in Santa Barbara, (805) 965-3075.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura. Condolences may be sent to TedMayrFuneralHome.com.