David LeRoy Kutulis Sr. CMSGT (Ret), 83, passed away on September 23, 2022, surrounded by family at his home in Lancaster, California.
David was born on July 21, 1939 in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the son of John and Alma Kutulis of Scranton Pennsylvania. He married Barbara Ann O’Brien from Anniston, Alabama in 1961 and they were married for 58 years. They met in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida where she was a physical education teacher and he was a crew chief at Eglin AFB, Florida. They both loved the military life and enjoyed traveling around the world, playing golf, and bowling. David entered the United States Air Force in 1956 and his first assignment was Eglin AFB, Florida where he served continuously until his retirement as a Chief Master Sergeant in 1987 from Edwards AFB, California with over 31 years of dedicated and honorable service which he took pride in.
His career field was Aircraft Maintenance and It was important for David to pass on his knowledge to younger airmen. He had numerous state-side assignments and a four-year assignment at Hahn AB, Germany which was his favorite. One of David’s favorite memories in his time with the Air Force was when he was a member of the maintenance crew team of the 63rd Airlift Wing at Norton Air Force Base, California at the 1969 first MAC Airlift Competition using the C-141, they won three awards. After his retirement, he worked for Northrop Grumman for 14 years.
David is survived by his daughter Kelley (Michael) Whittington of Lancaster, California, his son David Kutulis, Jr. of Lancaster, California, and granddaughter Samantha (Brett) Renta of Simi Valley, California. He is also survived by a sister Honey Kutulis Gordon of Austin Texas and a brother Robert (Carol) Kutulis of Traverse City, Michigan, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara, and by his parents, John and Alma Kutulis.
The family will receive family and friends for a service to be held at the Halley Olsen Murphy Funeral Home in Lancaster, California on Wednesday, October 12, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. and a military service will be at 1:15 p.m. at Bakersfield National Cemetery in Arvin, California.
The family requests that any donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) in his name. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared on the Website of Halley Olsen Murphy at https://www.halleyolsen.com/memorials/david-kutulis/5028767/obituary.php#wall.