Chester Ingram

Chester Ingram, loving and dedicated husband and father was called Home on June 14, 2013. After a six month battle with pancreatic cancer, he peacefully passed at his home surrounded by loved ones. Chester was born December 8, 1934, in the east Texas town of Little Hope. His childhood years were spent in various parts of east Texas playing basketball, football, track and boxing all while helping his father farm and ranch. After high school, he entered the Sheet Metal apprenticeship school in Fort Worth, TX, and graduated in 1956. Due to his expertise and management ability he was appointed mechanical project manager for many missile silo projects across New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming and North Dakota. Chester and his wife, Renomia, first moved to Athens in July 1967, in order for Chester to manage the mechanical construction of the Richard B. Russell Agricultural Research Center. He quickly realized the area was in need of a local sheet metal shop and in February of 1969, C. Ingram Company, Inc. opened its doors. The business grew to include electrical and piping trades and a sister company, Athena Industrial Construction. At its height, the company employed over 100 employees and traveled as far as California, Canada, and Puerto Rico to perform projects. At the age of 67 and after 32 years of business, Chester closed the business in June of 2001 and retired. In addition to being a successful businessman, Chester was an avid hunter, fisherman, golfer and skier. He enjoyed the outdoors and excursions with his buddies any chance he had. Chester also liked to travel and explore the world with his cherished wife and friends. He was a longstanding member of SMACNA (Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association) and served as President for several terms. In addition, Chester was a generous man who always lent a hand, had something positive to say, gave the benefit of the doubt, never met a stranger, acted a true gentleman, enjoyed story-telling, and had a heart as big and kind as Texas, all while maintaining a strong, firm hand and presence. He is predeceased by his parents, Lawrence and Avis Ingram, two brothers, Connie Ray and Bobby Jack Ingram, and son Mike Williamson. Chester is survived by his adoring wife of 49 years, Renomia (Ronnie) Ingram; daughters, Rosann Ingram Asselin (Stu) and Michelle Ingram; sons, Herb Ingram (Jill) and Scott Ingram (Linette); great uncle Ray Ingram (Edith); grandsons, Bryan Ingram, Matt Ingram, Jake Ingram, and Luke Ingram; granddaughters, Danielle Ingram and Morgan Ingram; 3 nephews; 2 nieces; and several great-nieces and –nephews; along with several very near and dear friends. The honorary pallbearers will be Stu Asselin, Michael Atkinson, Tim Doster, Bud Mawyer, Charles Oldham, Rey Ornelas, Gary Vaughan, Johnny Whiten, Pat Woods, and Dewey Young. Visitation will be Tuesday, June 18, 2013, 6-8pm at Bernstein Funeral Home (3195 Atlanta Highway, Athens). The memorial service to celebrate his life will be Wednesday, June 19, 2013, 2pm at Bernstein Funeral Home (3195 Atlanta Highway, Athens). If you would like to make a donation, in lieu of flowers, you may do so in Chester Ingram’s memory to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, to advance research, support patients and create hope for all those touched by pancreatic cancer – 1500 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266, 877.272.6226, www.pancan.org.

Online condolences may be made at www.bernsteinfuneralhome.com

Bernstein Funeral Home and Cremation Service are in charge of arrangements.