Chet was born on October 26, 1931, in Ottawa, Kansas, to Chet and Crystal (Riley) Hymes. He grew up in Osage Beach, Missouri, and graduated from School of the Osage in 1949. After attending his first year of college at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Chet enlisted in the United States Navy on July 22, 1950. He proudly served during the Korean War, and married Clare Mae Wagner on November 15, 1952, while stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii. After an honorable discharge in May, 1954, the Hymes's returned to Missouri, and raised their four children in the Kansas City area, where Chet had a long career as an accountant at Honeywell. They retired to Mesa, Arizona, in 1994, until Clare's passing in 2021.
Chet enjoyed music, singing in the choir and playing the trombone in high school. He loved worshipping the Lord in song, and listening to many types of music. He followed Jesus all of his life, serving faithfully wherever he attended.
Chet is survived by his children, Theresa Elizabeth Nuckoles (Ray) of Ocala, Florida, Catherine Joanne Belding (Jeff) of Belton, Missouri, and Chester Mark Hymes (Ellie) of Grandview, Missouri, five grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, seven step-great-grandchildren, his brothers Dale (Wilma), Charles and James Hymes, and his sisters Martha Jane Sherburne, Betty Hymes, Sheila Raithel (Jerry), and Sharlene Mastrandrea. He was preceded in death by his wife and son, Gregory Roy Hymes, his father, mother and stepmother, Lela (Banks) Hymes.
Special thanks to Brookdale Paddock Hills Assisted Living Facility and Hospice of Marion County, who cared for him so well in his final days.
