In loving memory of
Ralph Stuart Cutshall Jr
Obituary
Ralph Stuart Cutshall Jr. departed this earth on Oct. 5, 2019 surrounded by his family after nearly completing his 79th year. Born on Halloween in 1940, he began his career at the age of 17 in the U.S. Army Special Forces, serving in Germany with the 8th Infantry Division and the 82nd Airborne Division. After returning to the US, he earned his cosmetology license in El Paso and arrived in Dallas in 1961 as a hair stylist at Neiman Marcus. Later opening Stuart Salon at Marie Leavell, he gained notoriety for creating the signature hairstyles for Mary Wells and Braniff-International Airlines' "End of the Plain Plane" campaign in 1965. He then ventured into the art world as the proprietor of The Cutshall Collection, a gallery which popularized the Symbolic Realism movement in Dallas. Simultaneously, he owned and operated Stuart’s salon in Inwood Village. Upon closing his gallery and salon, he became a private investor and art collector, anonymously supporting the arts throughout the city. He is survived by Hannah Davis Cutshall, his wife of 40 years, their three children and spouses, and five grandchildren, who all honor his signature phrase, “Magic is Hard Work.” In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Cutshall Family Fund at the Dallas Museum of Art.
Farewell Playlist
To know Stuart was to also know that there was a concert to be had at any time of the day. His lifelong passion for music permeated every facet of his life, and his knowledge of so many genres of music are part of the legacy he passes along to the next generation. This playlist is a compilation of songs assembled by his family to serenade Stuart in his final moments. As you listen, we hope some of these songs evoke happy memories of time spent with him.