Jack Anthony Chavis

Jack Anthony Chavis was born on June 16, 1923 in Sioux City, IA to Frank and Cora Chavis. He had six brothers and sisters. When Jack was seven years old, he moved to Des Moines, IA where he was raised in an orphanage. The orphanage offered education and organized sports, and Jack received his high school diploma when he was 17 in 1940. He quickly enlisted in the United States Navy and was off to serve during WWII. Jack achieved the rank of Chief Petty Officer Second Class. He received a Purple Heart for injuries sustained during active duty, and was honorably discharged as a result on May 11, 1945.

Freshly back from the war, Jack was strolling through Des Moines when he spotted a pretty young woman working in a dry cleaners. He leaned over to his friend, pointing at the young woman, and confidently declared, “I’m going to marry that girl.” He subsequently gained employment at the same dry cleaners just so he could make this a reality. It finally worked.

On June 16, 1946, Jack exchanged wedding vows with E. May Piper in Des Moines, IA. The couple had two children, Ramona, born in 1947 and Daniel, born in 1957. Unfortunately they were preceded in death by three sons, John, Michael, and Mark who all passed in early infancy. Jack and May were blessed with four grandchildren, Pamela Schwartz, Michael Webster, Nicholas Webster, and Jacob Anthony Chavis; and two great-grandchildren, Matthew and Emily.

Jack worked as a machinist for the majority of his life, first with M.U. Engineering in Mountain View, CA then at the Alameda Naval Air Station. He ultimately retired due to health reasons.

In retirement Jack was able to pursue his hobbies. He enjoyed working with his hands, and often crafted various trinkets for friends and families. He was known to find old rocking horses or carousel horses that had been discarded and turned them into beautiful, ornate pieces of art.

Jack and May made friends wherever they went. They frequented two restaurants in Keller, TX, “Up in Smoke” and “Joe’s Diner,” where Jack was affectionately referred to as “Captain Jack,” possibly due to the fact that he always wore an old Greek fisherman’s hat.

Jack passed away on August 18, 2011 in Grapevine, TX. A military graveside service will be held at 12:30pm, Thursday, August 25, 2011 in Willamette National Cemetery. Jack is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, May; children, Daniel Chavis (Patryce) and Mona Webster; grandchildren, Pamela (Tim), Michael (Meredith), Nicholas, and Jacob; and great-grandchildren, Matthew and Emily. Jack was preceded in death by his three sons and six brothers and sisters. He will be sorely missed.