2013 Distinguished Alumni Honoree
Mr. Curtis E. McMenamy, ’64
Curtis E. McMenamy’s fondest and worst memory at OMA was leaving the Hill at graduation. Although he knew he was leaving to make his mark in the world, leaving the school after five years felt like moving away from family.
McMenamy graduated high school at OMA in 1962 and junior college at OMA in 1964. McMenamy also attended Edison High School in Tulsa and Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.
During his time at the Hill, McMenamy played football, was on the golf and swim teams, and was high school basketball team captain. He was awarded the Athletic Ribbon, the Military Proficiency Ribbon, the Sharp Shooter Badge, the Merit Ribbon, and was on the Dean’s Honor Roll. He was awarded the Best Drill Company, Outstanding Company, the Best Drill Platoon, and was a Drill Team Commander. He was in Cadet Capers, the Chevron Society, DeMolay, the Drill Team, Elks Club, Judge’s Bench, New Cadet Detail, Officers Advisory Committee, and the Saber Society. He was also DeMolay Master Councilor, Rifle Expert M-1, a Saber Society Officer, a Chevron Society Officer, Junior College Class Vice President, a Distinguished Military Student, part of the Honor Court and attended the Fort Sill Summer Camp.
McMenamy served in the U.S. Army from 1967-69 and was in the reserves until 1978 as a Captain. He was president of the National Welding Supply from 1969-85, president of Comutel Inc from 1985-1989, and general manager of Omni Tech from 1989-1992. He worked at Spray Tech/Sears Home Improvement from 1992-2003 where he was director of regional sales. McMenamy has worked at Home Depot since 2004.
McMenamy has been an active community volunteer, including with Shriners Hospitals for Children, as president of the National Welding Supply Association, sponsoring the Make-A-Wish-Foundation for six years and was a past chairman of the United Way. During a United Way fund drive while he was in active duty, McMenamy was number one in the Fourth Army in dollars collected and percentage of goal, for which he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal.
He and his wife Sandra have four children – two sons and two daughters. He also has five grandchildren and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Ali — but don’t call her a dog ,it hurts her feelings.
McMenamy says it is a great honor just to be nominated as a Distinguished Alumni and Hall of Fame nominee. “Living 1,300 miles away from OMA, [I] wish I could have done more to support the Alumni,” he said. “When I look over the names of those honorees who came before, I see many military heroes, men who have performed exceptional public service and those who have supported OMA for years after they left the Hill. Again, it’s a great honor just to be thought of with these great individuals.”