Thomas Edwin Gwaltney, Jr., was born February 16, 1945, in Jacksonville, Florida and passed away July 15th, 2024, at the age of 79, after a long and hard-fought battle with multiple illnesses. He is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Edwin Gwaltney, Sr. and Alene Marie Gwaltney of Jacksonville, Florida.
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Patricia Anne Gwaltney; two sons, Thomas Edwin Gwaltney, III (Eun Ryung ) of Franklin, Tennessee, and Sean Christopher Gwaltney of Jacksonville, Florida; two grandsons, Skyler Gwaltney of Nashville, Tennessee, and Caulin Gwaltney of Jacksonville, Florida; two granddaughters, Cherrod Gwaltney (Matt) of Brisbane, Australia, and Camryn Gwaltney of Tallahassee, Florida; his sister, Peggy Hampton, his aunt, Ermie Ganey, his niece, Kelli Cullen (John), and many cousins, all from Jacksonville, Florida.
Thomas is also survived by his extended family; stepsons, Don Prince (Stephanie) of Lakeland, Florida and Brett Prince (Connie) of White Oak, Georgia; stepdaughter Kim Simms (Alan) of Middleburg, Florida; six step grandchildren, and seven step great grandchildren.
In 2007 he retired, after 35 years of dedicated service to the United States Postal Service. During his career he was the Finance/Accounting “go to” guy in all aspects of Payroll, Travel and pay related legal matters pertaining to all of the employees at the Commonwealth Avenue Bulk Mail Center, Jacksonville, Florida.
Thomas honorably and faithfully served our nation as a proud United States Army Reserve soldier for 35 years. Rising to the prestigious rank of Command Sergeant Major, he led a brigade that transitioned thousands of Army Reserve service men and women to and from active duty, deployed to the front lines in defense of our nation.
He loved God, country, and his family and was an avid sports fan. He also loved classic cars and hot rods, and in 2019 purchased a 1939 Chevrolet Cabriolet Street Rod, which he lovingly named “Baby Car.” He enjoyed taking his favorite “Baby,” Patti, to car shows in “Baby Car” over the years. When it came to sports, his first love was NASCAR. He was a season ticket holder for several races, and his favorite drivers were Rusty Wallace and Kevin Harvick. Saturday afternoons, however, were reserved for Florida Gators football, a glass of Sweet Tea, and munching on Chex Mix. His love for sports didn’t stop there; as an inaugural season ticket holder, he and Patti could be found on any given Sunday in the North End-Zone rooting for his beloved Jacksonville Jaguars.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 20, 2024, at Hardage-Giddens Greenlawn Funeral Home and Cemetery, 4300 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, Florida. Viewing will be from 10 to 11:45, service at 12:00, and a graveside service with Full Military Honors will follow.
The family request that, in lieu of flowers, all donations be sent to The Fisher House Foundation or the Wounded Warrior Project.
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