Curtis Gaston McNair was born May 22, 1932 in Laurinburg, North Carolina to Walter Gaston and Lila Lindsey McNair.  His mother was a native of Spartanburg, South Carolina.  Curtis, his older brother and mother left the South for Detroit, Michigan after his father died.  Deacon Curtis McNair transitioned from earthly life to eternal life in the arms of his beloved “Donna” on July 5, 2017.

Curtis attended Northern High School in Michigan.  After graduation, Curtis joined the Army and served two years abroad.  His tour of duty included Germany, France and Italy.  While overseas he toured with the Red Diamond Chorus and performed with a group called the Gospel Aires.  He managed along the way to visit major art museums such as Louvre, Notre Dames, and many European historical sites.  He left the military with a rank of Corporal, Special Services.

After returning to the United States Curtis pursued a career in art.  His education includes a Diploma in Graphic Arts, College of Art and Design; and he attended the prestigious Center for Creative Studies, College of Art and Design, Detroit, Michigan.  There he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts.

His career experiences are extensive:  He was one of the first African American to work as a Graphic Designer for Chrysler Corporation.  He was a Fashion Illustrator for Federals Department Store, a Graphic Designer for Fred Yaffe Advertising Agency and Art Director for the City of Detroit.  He is known by many to be the former Art Director for Motown Records in Detroit, Michigan where he either designed or oversaw the designing of more than a hundred album covers for the Motown Industry.  One of his most famous album covers was “What’s Going On?” featuring Marvin Gaye.

His teaching experiences were with the Wayne County Community College, Detroit, Michigan where he designed a course, Photographic Design and Reproduction; and Center for Creative Studies, College of Art and Design where he taught Key Lining emphasizing techniques/procedures in camera ready art; layout and typography; and Pontiac Art Center, Pontiac, Michigan, teaching art education in the elementary schools.

Curtis also operated his own printing company called Gott Graphics and opened his own private Art School for Children where many up and coming and well-known artists in the areas came to share their skills and expertise with the students.

He rounded out his career in Detroit serving the public as the Supervisor of the City of the Detroit Print Shop.  Years later, he returned to North Carolina and settled in Rockingham, only minutes from his native home of Laurinburg.  He acquired an Art Teaching Certification from Saint Andrews Presbyterian College, Laurinburg, North Carolina.  He worked for seven years as an Art Teacher (K-12) with the Richmond County School System.

His memberships included Alumnus, Center for Creative Studies, Detroit, Michigan; Artist Alliance of Richmond County, Rockingham, North Carolina, and the HIP (Helping Improve Potential) for young African American Men (Rockingham), NAACP, and Richmond County Retired School Personnel.

Curtis was saved as at an early age and always considered himself a Child of God.  Curtis was a faithful member of First Baptist Church, Wadesboro which is where he met a beautiful Minister that was the guest speaker for a Women’s Day Program in 2003.  After a lovely courtship, he married the love of his life, Donna Ingram McNair, on May 7, 2005.  Together they loved to travel with the Anson County Christian Fellowship Club during the Christmas Holidays.  They enjoyed monthly gatherings at the homes of friends throughout the year.  Vising family played a key role in their lives as well. 

Curtis’ ministry was that of a Deacon.  He served as Deacon at First Baptist Church, Wadesboro, NC and at New Piney Grove Ministries Church in Wadesboro and lastly at Fairview Church of God in the Burnsville Community.  The delight of his life was serving alongside his wife as Associate Pastor at New Piney Grove Ministries and as Pastor at Fairview.  Deacon Curtis initiated the Men’s Upper Room Prayer at Fairview where they meet every second Sunday.

Curtis’ favorite pastime was communing with nature and his walks in the wood.  Curtis saw beauty in every aspect of nature. But most of all Curtis enjoyed his wife’s friendship and the alone time they shared sitting on the front porch and back deck.

Curtis maybe known for marching for civil rights in the 1940s, helping to integrate the Army in the 1950s, being among the first blacks hired at Chrysler’s corporate office in the early 1960, being the Art Director for Motown in the late 1960s to early 1970s, but he would want most to be known as a humble servant of God – a man of prayer and praise.

Fond memories will forever be cherished by his wife, Donna Ingram McNair; his brother, Willie Beauford McNair, Arapahoe, NC; five brothers-in-law, Lacy (Mildred) Ingram, Woodbridge, VA, James (Lucille) Ledbetter, High Point, NC, Riston (Audrey) Ingram, Richmond, VA, Aaron (Brenda) Bennett, Odenton, MD, J. C. Smith, Greensboro, NC; three sisters-in-law, Omy Ingram Barber, Wadesboro, NC, Zura (Henry) Thomas, Polkton, NC, Brenda (Rodney) Nivens, Kernersville, NC; his niece, Darletta McNair, Arapahoe, NC; The Fairview Church of God family, especially the Men’s Ministry; and a host of other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.