Edwin "Ed" Lee Chesnutt, Jr., 80, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 10, 2021 at Well Spring Retirement Community. The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation to everyone at Well Spring, especially his private caregiver, Kim Smith, for her unwavering faithfulness in tending to his needs.

Ed was born in Atlanta, Georgia to Mary Ellen Bell and Edwin L. Chesnutt, Sr. His father passed away from injuries in World War II when Ed was only five years old. When he was eleven, his mother remarried Thomas Davis, and the family moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. While in Jr. High in Charlotte, Ed began to exhibit remarkable versatility, excelling both in scholarship and athletics. With a record of straight A's in his classes, Ed became a three letter athlete. He was voted MVP in baseball as well as MVP and captain of both the football and basketball teams at East Mecklenburg High School. The 6'4" young man kept in shape in the summers working for a building contractor and attending football practice in the afternoons. Football was Ed's love, and he turned down a Morehead Scholarship to UNC for a full football scholarship to Duke. Ed enjoyed recalling the excitement of his days when the Duke Blue Devils won ACC victories, a Cotton Bowl Game in1961, and then the College World Series in baseball.

Ed graduated from Duke with a B.S. degree in Engineering, and then earned his M.B.A. at UNC-CH with a top of the class ranking. He later excelled in Advanced Management courses at Harvard Business School. His entire business career was spent with W.R. Grace & Co., primarily in Greenville, South Carolina, New York and Boston. He had various management assignments in research, manufacturing, sales and business development. He became President and held CEO positions worldwide, supervising a large staff, which required extensive travel around the world. Ed was revered for his leadership skills, his kindness to others and his generous spirit and sense of humor, warm smiles, and hugs.

During his years in Greenville, Ed served as co-chair of the Greenville SC Development Board, was responsible for, and remembered for recruiting national and foreign investments that resulted in a broader base of job opportunities in the Greenville-Spartanburg area. He was the founding president of the Greenville SC Junior Achievement, trustee of the United Way, a Rotarian, member of the Board of the American Cancer Society, Chairman of the Greensville County Planning Board, advisory board member of the Duke/Fuqua School of Business, and he was selected as Boss of the Year by the National Secretaries Association in 1972.

After a distinguished career, Ed retired in 1998 and settled in Greensboro with his son, Chip (Edwin Lee Chesnutt, III). To symbolize his transition from corporate life, Ed recalled with humor that he removed his watch and never wore one again. He quickly became a beloved member of the Greensboro community. He was an active member at Greensboro's First Presbyterian Church and the Young Men's Bible Class. He was also a devoted supporter of the Salvation Army and served as a bell ringer each Christmas season.

Ed became a regular at Brown Gardiner Drug Store for breakfast, and it was at the breakfast counter where he met the love of his life, Kay (Gracie) Holland Chesnutt. With a broad grin, Ed would say that Kay eventually introduced him to the entire city of Greensboro. "Going out with Kay and meeting people was like taking a drink of water from a fire hydrant," he would joke. Kay and Ed were married in 2000, and through their years together, they most enjoyed the company of their many friends and family and travels to their home in Naples, Florida. Their blended family was a close and happy one, sharing many fun times, travel and often spontaneous adventures. Ed said that Kay could make a trip to the grocery store an adventure, and he was always up for it.

A member of the Greensboro Country Club, Ed played golf regularly with the Jester group, and became a regular loyal supporter of Duke Sports often with grandkids in tow.

Surviving Ed are his wife, Kay Holland Chesnutt; sons, Edwin L. Chesnutt Ill, Trescott Wright Tisdale (Tracy), Alexander Holland Tisdale (Beth), grandchildren, Boyd, Wright, Ansley, Reece and FinleyTisdale; sister, Judith C. Ross (Richard!; sister-in-law, Millie Dawn and niece Amanda Dawn; nephew Mark Ross (Kelly); beloved uncle Watson Bell (Jeanne) and cousin Beverly (Paul) Goree, along with many cousins, nephews, and nieces.

A private graveside service will be held for the immediate family only.

In Lieu of flowers, donations to one’s own choice.

Online remembrances may be made through www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com