Chester E. Longacre

Chester E. Longacre, age 87, finished his journey of life in Temple on December 14, 2008 with Joy, his wife of 67 years, at his side. He was born on March 1, 1921 in Tyler. Chester and Joy met and became sweethearts when they were in high school and married in May, 1941. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1942, became a Radioman and Tail Gunner in the PBY Flying Boats and served overseas in the Bomber Squadron (VPB-15) at Saipan. After 11 years in the Navy, Chester was employed by the Magnolia Oil Company Research Lab in Dallas in 1959. Until his retirement from Mobil Oil Company in 1985, Chester worked in 13 states, Canada, Caracas, Venezuela; Tripoli, Libya; London, England; Jakarta, Indonesia and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emigrates. In retirement, Chester and Joy lived in Hawaii, Georgia, and several cities in his "Home Sweet Home", Texas. He was a member of the VFW. Chester will be forever cherished and missed by his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Nannie Longacre; brother, Tom Longacre; three sisters, Grace Murphy, Ann George and Ruby Ford; and by a daughter, Mary Joy Dunnigan in 2001. He is survived by his wife, Joy; daughter, Beverly Lombardo of Beaumont; son, Phillip Longacre of Honolulu, Hawaii; sister, Bonnie Scurlock of Rockdale; brother, Earl Longacre of Garrison; and two grandsons, Patrick Dunnigan and Jason Longacre. Following cremation, there will be family services in Tyler at a later date.