Lloyd Ralph Chason

He was born on October 14, 1934, in Rocky Mount, NC, the son of the late Charles Franklin Chason and his wife Vera Rich Chason. He was proceeded in death by his wife of 61 years, Joan McKenzie Chason and his siblings, Robert Chason, Clayton Chason, Billye Chason, and Mary Chason Proctor. 

He is survived by one daughter Lynn Green and husband Ralph of Fort Worth, TX; one son Michael Chason and wife Jan of Grass Valley, CA; two grandsons, Chris Green and his wife Christin of Fort Worth, TX; and Andrew Green and his wife Susan, of Midland, TX. 

Ralph graduated from Rocky Mount High School in 1953; East Carolina College (now East Carolina University) in 1957, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music; Baylor University in 1962, with a Master of Science degree and 1968 with a PhD in Experimental and Industrial-Organizational Psychology. 

 Colonel Chason had a distinguished 25 year military career. He entered the United States Air Force through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps as a distinguished graduate in 1957. He attended Navigator Training School at James Connolly AFB, Waco, Texas, receiving his Navigator Wings in 1958. He served as a flying instructor at the same school until 1961. After attending Baylor University and earning his Master’s degree, he was assigned to the United States Air Force Academy as an Air Officer Commanding in 1962. In 1965, he was reassigned to Baylor University where he earned his PhD degree in January 1968. He immediately entered combat crew training for assignment to Southeast Asia. He was assigned in June 1968, to the 553rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing in Korat, Thailand. During his tour of duty, he served as Chief Squadron Navigator and Standboard Navigator in EC 121R. He flew 92 combat missions accumulating 1,013 combat hours.

Following that assignment, he was reassigned to the United States Air Force Academy as a faculty member. During the ensuing ten years, Colonel Chason rose to the position of Tenure Professor and Deputy Head of the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership. In his last year of assignment at the Academy, he served as Special Assistant to the Superintendent of the Academy for Professional Ethics.

Ralph was known as a “superb classroom instructor and scientist, who taught tough courses, and spent an inordinate amount of time with cadets even outside the classroom.” Past cadets would write him over the years describing how much his teaching had meant to them personally and professionally. “He was also tasked with building a psychology laboratory and within three years had a lab comparable to those found in the very best graduate schools.”  Fun fact: He trained chimpanzees for space flight for NASA.

In June 1979, Colonel Chason was assigned as the Director of Educational Plans and Operations for the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. In August 1982, he became the AFIT Vice Commandant.

Colonel Chason was a Master Navigator with more than 4,100 flying hours.  His military decorations and awards included the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal with Four Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, Air force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor, and Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Bronze Service Stars. His civilian awards included membership in a number of honorary, scholastic and professional organizations including Sigma Xi, Kappa Delta Pi, Psi Chi, Phi Mu Alpha and Alpha chi. He was a member of the American Psychological Association and a fellow of the Inter-University Seminar on the Armed Forces and Society. He was also listed in Who’s Who in the West and American Men and Women of Science.

Ralph began his civilian career in 1982, as Manager of Technical Education and Training, and then in 1986, Corporate Director of Education and Training for Northrop Aircraft Services Division in Century City, California. In 1989, he became the Corporate Manager of Career Development and Training for Bechtel Corporation in San Francisco, California. And In 1995, he became Vice President of Worldwide Executive and Employee Development for Sybase Corporation, Emeryville, California. In 1997, Ralph retired and he and wife Joan moved to her home town of Wilmington, NC.

Ralph loved all types of music and sang in choirs for over 65 years. Some were: East Carolina University Chamber Singers, Moorpark Master Works Chorale, Wilmington’s Cape Fear Chorale, and Grace Chancel Choir. He also played Clarinet and Saxophone at East Carolina University and earned extra money by playing in a Dance Band. 

Ralph was always learning, was an avid reader of all types of literature, and could fix most anything. No matter how busy he was, he was faithfully involved in his church as a teacher, lay leader, pastor-parish relations, etc.  He had a deep and unshakable faith. 

Ralph has been described as intelligent, a hard worker, dedicated to performance and excellence, well respected, confident, ethical, patient, kind, and a sensitive listener. He loved his family fiercely. His children and grandchildren were a source of great happiness and loving attention whether they were together or talking long distance on the phone.  We all knew we were loved no matter what!

The 61 year love affair with his wife Joan can’t be adequately described in print.  They met during their sophomore year at ECC and married after graduation on June 16, 1957. Their devotion to each other was always evident. Even when he was in Vietnam, they wrote letters to each other every day. They shared their love of music, singing together in the choirs mentioned above, and sharing their love of travel to many places in the world with choral groups, friends and family. Knowing he has joined her in Heaven helps lessen our sadness as we so miss the best father and grandfather.

The family would like to thank Trinity Grove for their gentle care of Ralph for the past 3 ½ years. Their staff gave our family a huge sense of peace knowing he was always watched after and loved.

Because of COVID, the family will hold his Celebration of Life Service at a later date. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Music Program at Grace United Methodist Church, 401 Grace Street, Wilmington, NC 28401.