SMSgt. Anthony Wesley Cheatham

Anthony Wesley Cheatham “aka Cheatham, Bones, Tony Bologna, Cuz”, son of Diane Mitchell Cheatham and the late John Westly Cheatham, was born in Walter Reed Army Hospital, Washington, DC, on April 6, 1963. Tony was lovingly called home to our Heavenly Father on Friday July 9, 2021.

Doer of deeds, lover of music, cars & nature, jokester, grill master (or grill burner depending on the day), coach, mentor, way maker and the calm in the storm: these words come to mind when one thinks of Tony. He wore big shoes both figuratively and literally. Tony was a giant with a quiet yet mighty strength. In many ways, he was a lighthouse; a beacon of hope when storms raged. He stood tall and was there for anyone who needed an ear or a shoulder. Even as he courageously lived with cancer, his light beamed.

Being the oldest of eight, Tony emerged as a natural leader early in life. He was educated in Charles County and Prince Georges County School Systems. After graduating from Gwynn Park in 1981, he enrolled in the United States Air Force (USAF). Tony’s first station was Ramstein Air Base in Germany. There he functioned as an Aircraft Mechanic on the F-4 Phantom II. After serving in the USAF, he continued to serve our country when he joined the DC Air National Guard in September 1986. He obtained a full-time position in February 1987 and the rest is history. He had an illustrious career working in various roles (aircraft mechanic, instructor, trainer, manager, inspector, supervisor, chief) where he had the opportunity to serve our country and positively influence and impact others. During this time, Tony deployed to Iraq in 2006 and again in 2010 in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. He also deployed to Afghanistan in 2011 in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. Tony deployed to several countries in support of multiple operations and received numerous accolades/awards. As a modest man, Tony would never boast or share accolades earned because in his eyes there was always more to be done and another challenge to accomplish. Excellence meant never settling. He loved his military family and will forever consider them his brothers and sisters. Tony proudly retired as a Senior Master Sergeant from the United States Air Force December 23, 2019.

While his career and serving our country were important, family was Tony’s foundation. Tony met his wife Sonja Montgomery at a family cookout. They became sweethearts, and on July 30, 1988, they wed. Their marriage produced two beautiful daughters (Ariel and Madison “Maddy”). Tony was a devoted and proud father, who with his wife, raised their children all the while keeping his promise to his military family. Regrettably in 2004, after a “bigger than life” existence, they would lose their butterfly, Ariel, at the tender age of 14, following her heroic life with brain cancer. As God would have it, their little one, Madison, would keep them going and continue to bring infinite joy. With Madison, Tony enjoyed basketball tryouts, games, practices, and tournaments (a sport he also played in high school) and delighted in witnessing her compete in sports. Even if they were hanging out watching sports together (basketball, football etc) these were precious moments with his daughter that he relished. The two of them were often like two peas in a pod.

As a son, brother, cousin, uncle, and friend, he enjoyed family bar-b-ques and gatherings which allowed bonds to strengthen. Every Memorial Day and Labor Day, the family gravitated to Tony & Sonja’s home for laughter, music that made you sway, perfectly seasoned ‘old bay’ crabs, burnt hotdogs, the inevitable splash in the pool and for the chance to reunite with family. He loved fried chicken, BBQ ribs, Sonja’s cookies and Mom’s deviled eggs. Tony and Sonja shared 30 years of love & commitment to their family. Their story shifted and Tony and Sonja went their separate ways though they remained close friends until the very end.

For Tony, time with family was magical. He will forever be known as a simple man, who enjoyed uncomplicated pleasures. In his final days, he was surrounded by family. He reiterated how enormously proud of his daughter he was and how family was everything. A quote that hung on the wall in his home sums up a lot. It reads, “Always pray to have eyes that see the best in people, a heart that forgives the worst, a mind that forgets the bad, and a soul that never loses faith in God.”

Tony will be fondly missed by his daughter; Madison Cheatham; his former wife and lifelong friend, Sonja Montgomery Cheatham; mother: Diane Cheatham, siblings, Bridget Patterson (Charles), Monica Carter (Kevin), Nicolette McClees (Tim), John Cheatham (Rossy), Michele Lincoln (James), Jerzalyn Cheatham, Jeff Carreon (Heather); a host of nieces, nephews, extended relatives, friends and of course, his beloved dog, Max.

Tony was predeceased by his daughter, Ariel Cheatham (2004); father, John Cheatham (2020) and his grandparents.

The family would like to thank everyone for their kind gestures, expressions of sympathy and prayers. Your encouraging words, calls, texts, deeds, etc. have been most appreciated during this difficult time. May God continue to bless and keep our family and yours.