Don Curtis

May 22nd, 1929 - February 26th, 2008

Real Name: Born Don Beitelman, legally changed to Don Curtis
Birthday: May 22, 1929
Hometown: Originally from Buffalo, New York. Retired to Jacksonville, Florida
Marital Status: Married to Dott. They have 3 children. Also has 7 grand children
Height & Weight: 6'1" - 190 lbs
Trained by: Lou Thesz
Previous Gimmicks: The Buffalo Bomber
Finishing Move: The Sleeper Hold
Favorite Moves: Flying drop kick, The Sleeper
Notable Feuds: Eddie Graham, Jerry Graham, Jim Wright, Jack Terry, Tokyo Joe, Art Neilson, Zebra Kid

Titles Held:
# NWA Southwest Tag Team titles w/Dizzy Davis defeating Kurt Von Poppenheim & Great Bolo (April 11, 1957);
# NWA (Amarillo) North American Heavyweight title defeating Roy Shire (May ??, 1957);
# NWA (Capitol) United States Tag Team titles w/Mark Lewin defeating Dick the Bruiser & Hans Schmidt (????, 1958);
# NWA (Capitol) United States Tag Team titles w/Mark Lewin defeating Eddie & Jerry Graham (December 11, 1958);
# NWA (Florida) Southern Heavyweight title defeating Mike DiBiase (March 22, 1960);
# NWA (Florida) Southern Tag Team titles w/Eddie Graham defeating Mighty Yankees (May 10, 1960);
# NWA Eastern States Heavyweight title defeating Karl Krauser (aka Karl Gotch) (December 29, 1961);
# NWA (Florida) World Tag Team titles w/Joe Scarpa defeating Karl & Kurt Von Brauner (March 29, 1962);
# NWA (Georgia) World Tag Team titles w/Joe Scarpa billed upon arrival (June ??, 1962);
# NWA (Florida) World Tag Team titles w/Mark Lewin defeating Roy Heffernan & Al Costello (January 24, 1963);
# NWA (Florida) World Tag Team titles w/Mark Lewin defeating Assassins (November 21, 1963);
# NWA (Florida) World Tag Team titles w/Abe Jacobs defeating Duke Keomuka & Hiro Matsuda (May 5, 1964);
# NWA (Florida) Southern Tag Team titles w/Jose Lothario defeating Blackjack Daniels & Stan Kowalski (March 13, 1967);
# NWA Florida Brass Knuckles title defeating Dale Lewis (November 20, 1969)

Career Highlights:
# Don Curtis formed a heel team with Mark Lewin and wore satin capes as a part of their gimmick feuding with Eddie & Jerry Graham..
# Don Curtis broke an attendance record in Jacksonville, Florida when he faced Lou Thesz for the World Heavyweight title..
# Don Curtis was a promoter in Jacksonville until 1981 when he left wrestling & became the Chief of the Gator Bowl complex..
# 1980: Don Curtis was inducted into the U.B. Athletic Hall of Fame for his wrestling and football accomplishments..
# February 26, 2008: Don Curtis (Don Beitelman) sufferd a massive stroke and was taken to a Hospice facility.

Statement from Dotty Curtis (February 28): Don suffered a massive stroke due to a blood clot breaking loose and hitting the left side of his brain. I (Dotty) found him in a pool of blood, face down in the bedroom two mornings ago, but it wasn't until late last night that an MRI confirmed the stroke and severe damage. He has been transported to the new Hospice facility at Mayo Clinic, where he will receive the best of care. Please know that Don is in no pain, and would want nothing more that to end the life that he presently lives in. If anyone could say, "I've done it all!", it would be Don. A wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend no one could have asked any more from. Pray for him.

Thanks to onlineworldofwrestling for the above information.