Curtis "Chip" H. Gwaltney II

Curtis H. Gwaltney, II was born June 4, 1947 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Affectionately nicknamed “Chip,” he was son of Curtis H. Gwaltney and Kathleen Gwaltney (Russell), and big brother to Vicki Johnson (Gwaltney).

Curt is survived by four loving daughters – Stephanie Holland (Kelly), Shea DeVore (Doug), Leigh Ann Nitchman (Wayne), and Linsay Windle (Jerry). His love extended as Grandad to his fourteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Curt held in high regard the mothers to his children, Myrna Spratt and Carlyn Gabel, and strived for strong, continued family connections no matter time or distance. Dear friends Jim and Pat Walters, Paul Graw, and Jerry Cox kept him well cared for and on the move often, enhancing so many of Curt’s life interests and adventures. He treasured his friends and his neighbors, taking opportunities often to remain social and bonded – nobody was really ever a stranger around Curt!

Curt was born into and grew up as part of United States Air Force family, relocating and thriving at his dad’s duty stations around the world. The family home was kept in Oklahoma City, and the family of four always returned there between service assignments. One assignment landed the elder Curt Gwaltney in the Panama Canal Zone – this is where Chip (off the old block) graduated high school and eventually left to attend his college years and earn his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Oklahoma City University.

After college, Curt was commissioned to the United States Air Force and served proudly for 20 years, with duty assignments in the Panama Canal Zone, Spain, and Iceland, TDYs in numerous other countries, as well as stations at multiple bases in the United States. He spent part of his early service time earning his Master of Science in Logistics Management from the Air Force Institute of Technology. After a distinguished career as a “Loggie,” Lieutenant Colonel Curtis H. Gwaltney, II retired from the Air Force on May 31, 1989, rounding out his military career at Wright-Patterson AFB.

Air Force Awards and Decorations include:

· Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters

· Air Force Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters

· Outstanding Unit Award with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters

· Presidential Unit Citation

· National Defense Service Medal

· Remote/Short Tour Ribbon

· Long Tour Ribbon with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster

· Longevity Service Ribbon with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters

· Small Arms Marksmanship Ribbon

· Air Force Training Ribbon

· Master Aircraft Maintenance Badge

Post-military retirement, the Air Force and varied partners continued to benefit from Curt’s expertise and skillsets. He continued in the defense industry as Program Manager (Systems Engineering & Management Company), Vice President, Air Force Operations (Innovative Logistics Techniques, Inc) and Vice President, Dayton Operations (MCR Federal, LLC). Curt officially retired from professional employment on March 31, 2007.

Curt was never a man to sit still much – although he thoroughly enjoyed his movie nights at home with his family... Post-professional career, Curt endeavored to “give back” and stayed social while volunteering as Tour Guide and Historical Instructor at Sunwatch Indian Village and Archaeology Site, and with the USO for many years. He stayed strong in mind while avidly continuing his learning – to learn more about his Choctaw heritage, among his passions were Native American culture, and American and world history. Curt studied photography and honed his drawing skills. He was a well-developed harmonica player, delighted in playing musical spoons, and learned to play the acoustic guitar. Curt loved his travels, and spent solo time, as well as a multitude of trips with family and friends, to treasured locations all over the United States and abroad. Additionally, without a doubt, some of his favorite times were spent locally as a long-standing season ticket holder at volleyball and basketball games at Wright State University and the University of Dayton!

Curtis H. Gwaltney, II passed away on October 16, 2026, peacefully in his home in Xenia, Ohio. Exactly as he wished.

All expressions of sympathy, including flowers and charitable contributions to Air & Space Forces Aid Society https://afas.org/donate/ and American Cancer Society https://donate.cancer.org/, are welcome.