Lt Cdr Curtis Edward Whaley

Captain Curtis E. Whaley, of Gulf Breeze, Florida charted his flight home on June 17, 2014 with his daughter Sandy, granddaughter Laurel and son-in-law Rick by his side. He was born November 29, 1929 in Augusta, Georgia, to the late Mrs. Ethel Gunn Whaley Barnhart and William Whaley. Curt graduated from Richmond Academy in 1948 and The Junior College of Augusta in 1950. He joined the U.S. Navy and began his active flight training the US Naval School of Pre-flight at NAS Pensacola in 1950. He was married to the late Janice Schryer for 43 years.

Lieutenant Commander Curt Whaley enjoyed his service in the U.S. Navy as a fighter pilot in squadron VF-32. His ship the USS Tarawa was en route to Korea when the conflict ended.

Captain Curt Whaley flew the great silver fleet with Eastern Airlines for more than 33 years and was forced to retire early due to a cardiac condition. He was an avid golfer, traveler, boater, pilot and devotee of the Pensacola Symphony, Opera and Pensacola Little Theater. He was a member of the Silver Falcons, REPA, the Tailhook Association, ALPA, and The Order of Daedalians and U.S. Navy Reserve.

Curt is survived by three children: Eddie Whaley (Tammy), Newnan, Georgia; Sandy Whaley DuVall ( Rick) of Powder Springs, Georgia; and Steve Whaley (Leslie) of Acworth, Georgia. Curt leaves four grandsons: Chris, Mathew, and Michael Whaley; Ryan DuVall and one granddaughter, Laurel DuVall. He was preceded in death by one grandson, David DuVall. Curt's five siblings survive him: Butch Barnhart; Billy, Barry, and Jeep Whaley; and Louise Whaley Edenfield.

A memorial service is scheduled for (date) at (time) at the Naval Aviation Memorial Chapel at Pensacola Naval Air Station with burial to follow at Barrancas National Cemetery. The family will receive visitors at a celebration in his honor immediately after the burial at the (Officer's Club at the Pensacola NAS) or (Curt's home in Gulf Breeze).

In lieu of flowers, Curt had requested memorial contributions be made to the Curtis Whaley Memorial Scholarship to help fund Laurel’s medical school education. Please endorse for deposit only account #173650074, in care of USAA Federal Savings Bank at 10750 McDermott Freeway, San Antonio, Texas 78284-8426.