Carl Curtis Barbour III, known to all as Curt, entered his eternal rest on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at the age of 59. Curt was born on April 29, 1967, in Houston, Texas. He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Carl C. Barbour Jr. and Karen Anne Koury Barbour.
Curt is survived by his loving wife of 13 years, Pamela Porter Barbour of Austin; his son, Koury Braden Barbour of Austin; stepdaughter Bianca Nicole Rodriguez of Austin; his sister Kimberly Barbour Goodman of Leander and her husband Lorne Scott Goodman; niece Grace Goodman of Leander; niece Kaley Brielle Cosby and her husband Storm Cosby of Leander; great-nephew Graysen Jae Cosby; great-nieces Lily Kate Yvonne Cosby, Kenna June Cosby, and Stormi Jayde Cosby of Leander; bonus parents Suzanne and Wayne Carmichael of Leander; and two stepbrothers, Brian Doehring of Houston and Chris Doehring of Yucca, AZ.
Curt grew up in Houston, graduating from Memorial High School in 1985, where he played football. From an early age, he developed a deep passion for the outdoors, including hunting, skeet shooting, fishing, sailing, camping, and skiing, a passion he carried throughout his life and shared with many close friends. Beneath his adventurous spirit was a gentle heart. Curt had a way of making people feel welcomed and valued, and his kindness, patience, and willingness to help others left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him. He was a third-generation camper at Camp Rio Vista in Hunt, Texas, later returning as a counselor and eventually sending his own son Koury there, carrying the tradition into fourth generation. One especially memorable summer, he traveled with the camp to Roatán, Honduras for a scuba diving excursion. He had a joyful childhood growing up in the Lazywood neighborhood of Houston, riding go-carts, BMX racing, building forts, and getting into all kinds of good-natured mischief with lifelong friends.
Curt was a member of the University of Texas at Austin chapter of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He began his career working alongside his father in the family optical business in Houston before moving into real estate, later serving as a Sales Executive at Dell in Austin, and eventually returning to his true passion, real estate, building a career centered on helping homeowners navigate difficult transitions, with a particular gift for working with elderly homeowners. Curt was an entrepreneur at heart, with several business ventures throughout his life. In his later years, Curt put his entrepreneurial spirit and knack for fixing things to work, starting a business restoring and repairing gas lamps and lanterns for neighbors across Central and West Austin.
To his nieces, great-nieces, and great-nephew, Curt was the beloved “Funcle,” always showing up with a laugh, an adventure, and a good time.
Curt shared a close and lifelong bond with his sister, Kimberly. Through every chapter of life, they remained a steady presence for one another, offering support, laughter, and an unshakable loyalty that only siblings who’ve grown up together truly understand. That closeness never wavered, and it was one of the great constants of Curt’s life.
Above all, Curt was a devoted father to his son, Koury. Curt loved Koury fiercely and took great pride in being his father. Some of Curt’s greatest happiness came from the time they spent together, teaching him, guiding him, cheering him on, and sharing the adventures they both loved. From the time Koury was small, Curt made it a priority to be present, coaching his T-ball, baseball, and basketball teams, cheering him on at lacrosse games, and never missing the moments that mattered. He was not only Koury’s father, but also his teacher, coach, adventure partner, and biggest supporter. He taught Koury how to fish, hunt, ride motocross, and skeet shoot, passing down the same deep love for the outdoors that had shaped his own life, patiently, joyfully, again and again, until it became something Koury carried as his own. Koury was, and will always be, the thing Curt was most proud of in this world. Though his time with Koury was cut short, the bond they built through years of shared adventures and quiet, everyday moments will remain with Koury always, a lasting reminder of just how deeply and completely he was loved.
Curt will be remembered for his generous heart, adventurous spirit, unwavering loyalty, quick wit, and willingness to lend a helping hand. More than anything, he will be remembered for the way he made people feel welcomed, valued, and loved. His legacy lives on in the family he cherished, the friendships he nurtured, and the countless lives he touched with his kindness.
A Celebration of Life will be held in October 2026. The time and location will be announced closer to the date.
5 Responses
We will miss you my friend! Your company and friendship was always joyful and full of laughs. We will miss not fishing with you again, but know that big smile is lighting up the fishing ponds and waterways of heaven! Until we meet again, rest in peace Curt!
From fourth grade to his passing we did it all! The light that shines twice as bright shines half as long! RIP my good buddy and say hello to Konrad for me, I’ll be joining you two soon!
Curt and I grew up two houses down the street. Some of my fondest childhood memories were driving our go-karts (in their backyard!), racing BMX, pretending to drive his dad’s ’56 T-Bird (while parked in the carport), going on family vacations to Galveston, and so many more. Rest in Peace, my friend—you were taken from us way too early.
Our cousins lived near the Barbours and we grew up w Kim and Curt. I have so many memories of us all swimming in the lazywoods pool and our families spending summer vacations down in pirates beach … Curt was always the sweetest person, so fun to be with, and his smile in this picture is the same Curt I remember when we were young …I’m so sorry he is gone. sending all my sympathy to you Kim and all of Curt’s family . Love Erin Ann
I am so saddened to hear of Curt’s passing! He was always so friendly to me in the neighborhood & we chatted many times about real estate, often in the park when he was playing with his dog Bella. I did not know that he also once worked at Dell, so we had Dell and real estate in common. He helped so many people in the neighborhood with gas lamps & other repairs I’m sure. I’ll be praying for his family for comfort & a peace that passes understanding. Hold your loved ones a little closer today, tell them you love them, and be grateful for every day you get to share this life with them. RIP Curt.