Johnny Ray Chester

Johnny Ray Chester died June 23, 2015 after a long battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis. He was born in Jonesboro, AR on October 15, 1929 to Ray and Florence Brown Chester but grew up on a cotton farm near Bay, AR. He graduated from High School in Nettleton AR in 1947. He met his future wife Ruby Nell Gates while attending Harding College in Searcy AR. They were married in 1950 and moved to Memphis. He served 2 years in the army and was in Korea 13 months. He was on the Front and was chosen to be in the Honor Guard in Seoul and later served as a Body

Guard for General Maxwell Taylor. After military service he earned an Electrical Engineering degree from CBC and graduated Magna Cum Laude. He became a Registered Electrical Engineer in TN and in 16 other states. He worked most of his professional career as a design Engineer for Ellers, Oakley, Chester and Rike, retiring in 1999. He was an active member of White Station Church of Christ for 58 years and served as a teacher and deacon. He also served as an elder for 29 years, until his health forced him to retire. He enjoyed traveling, camping, fishing, tennis and golf. With his brother Jim’s help, he continued to play golf until he was 84. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers-in-law Roosevelt Spencer and Denzil E. Gates and sister-in-law Flo Gates. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, his daughter, Janet Bates, of Cumberland, RI (Bruce) and son John Edmond (Eddy) Chester (Jeanne) of Memphis and grandchildren Annie Bates, Allie, John and Sam Chester, 2 brothers, Charles Chester (Betty Jo) of Richland, MS, and James (Jim) Chester(Julie)of Memphis, 4 sisters, Ruth Balcom (Charles) Hartselle, AL, Joann Malone (George) Olive Branch, MS, Kathleen Spencer, Bay, AR, Mary Parkinson (Weldon) Titusville, Fl, and many nieces and nephews. Memorials may be sent to White Station Church of Christ, 1106 Colonial Rd, Memphis TN 38117; Harding Academy, 1100 Cherry Rd, Memphis TN 38117; or to IPF Research, Vanderbilt IPF Office, 1301 Medical Center Dr, B817TVC, Nashville, TN 37232.