Cmsgt. David C. Ballengee, Usaf (Ret.)

Chief Master Sergeant David C. Ballengee, USAF (Ret.), age 68, passed away after a brief illness on Friday, April 23, 2021.

Chief Ballengee served for 26 years as a musician in the United States Air Force band program, earning 4 Meritorious Service Medals, 3 Air Force Commendation Medals, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, and a dozen additional military decorations. Originally drafted and quickly recruited as a trumpet player, his management ability, vision, and creativity elevated him to positions of leadership within each of the units he was assigned. Chief Ballengee was hand-picked by the Commander of The United States Air Force Band in Washington DC to serve in the operations and planning division, where he coordinated closely with foreign governments, United States military senior leaders, and civilian artists to plan performances around the world. Chief Ballengee’s leadership elevated the United States Air Force Band to international recognition, partnering with such artists as Ricky Scaggs, Barbara Mandrell, and Roy Clark. His international efforts produced several ground-breaking cultural exchanges between the United States Air Force Band and military units in both China and South America, resulting in new and lasting diplomatic cooperation and trust between the United States and its allied nations. Because of Chief Ballengee’s leadership, the performances by The United States Air Force Band represented the largest American military unit in China since 1947.

After he retired from Active Duty, Chief Ballengee served as the civilian Deputy Director of the Band of the Air Force Reserve in Warner Robins, Georgia. He brought his global planning and experience to the Air Force Reserves and started “Operation Seasons Greetings,” with which he brought musicians, comedians, and NFL cheerleaders to troops stationed in deployed locations overseas to include Iraq, Afghanistan, Turkey, and Germany, boosting morale and retention in the Air Force. “Holiday Notes From Home” was another successful event developed, planned, and executed by Chief Ballengee that paired the Band of the Air Force Reserve with top guest artists such as Little Big Town, Lee Ann Womack, Take 6, and Amy Grant in performances at the Grand Ole Opry and the Ryman Theater in Nashville. These sold-out performances were broadcast to military units and their families in 186 countries and all ships at sea during the Christmas season, bringing messages of hope, respect, and warmth to troops that may not be at home with their families and loved ones. His production leadership and relationships with top performers were critical to the planning and performance of the Band of the Air Force Reserve with Celine Dion on the flight deck of the USS Harry Truman aircraft carrier for a nationwide broadcast on CBS celebrating “Rockin’ for the U.S.A.: A National Tribute to the U.S. Military.” Chief Ballengee was the driving force behind the Band of the Air Force Reserve’s Independence Day events at McConnell-Talbert Stadium, drawing tens of thousands of people each year to watch the band perform with artists like Wynonna Judd, the Miracles, Josh Turner, Lonestar, Restless Heart, and Diamond Rio as they celebrated with the best fireworks show in the Southeast.

Chief Ballengee was an extraordinary family man, talented musician, caring leader, respected visionary, and trusted mentor for several generations of Air Force band officer and enlisted members. He selflessly shared his knowledge and experiences, provided leadership lessons, and gave once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to those who were willing to learn. Air Force bands across the world today utilize his template for operational planning and performances with guest artists. His legacy as an ambassador to millions of people worldwide lives on today as Air Force bands proudly carry the musical and cultural heritage that Chief Ballengee started in 1974.

Born in Hinton, West Virginia on August 5, 1952, he was the son of the late Kennard Conway Ballengee and Ruth Lee Ballengee.

Left to treasure the memory of Chief Ballengee are his wife of 45 of years, JoBeth Ballengee; children, Nicole Ballengee Sanders (Ken) and David Matthew Ballengee (Emily); siblings, Donna Adams (Roger), Kendra Peebles, and his brothers and sisters of the United States Air Force Bands; and grandchildren, Brooke Yocum, Autumn Ballengee, Annison Ballengee, and the children of his extended families: Emily, Adalyn, Ashton, Anthem, Aethen, and Abram.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 in the chapel at McCullough Funeral Home. A reception will immediately follow the service at The Farmhouse at McCullough Funeral Home. Chief Ballengee will be laid to rest at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. For friends unable to attend at this time, the service will be streamed live via the McCullough Funeral Home Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mcculloughfuneralhome/live/.

As an expression of sympathy, the family respectfully suggests that donations be made to Wreaths Across America, https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/167427.

Learn more about the measures McCullough Funeral Home is taking to ensure the health and safety of our guests at www.mcculloughfh.com. There you can also sign an Online Registry for the family.  McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.

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