Chester Edd PASSMORE, SR (VETERAN WWII)

SEAMAN FIRST CLASS US Coast Guard
World War II
January 26, 1921 - October 17, 2009

*Obituary
Chester Edd Passmore Sr. of Mtn. View Arkansas went to be with the Lord on Oct. 17, 2009.
Chester was born on Jan. 26th, 1921 at Thola, Arkansas. His parents were Columbus Jackson Passmore and Lacretia Allred Passmore.
Chester was preceded in death by one son, Ronnie Passmore, his parents, four sisters, Vera Massey, Alpha Massey, Zelda Wilson, and Verga Mitchell. Two brothers, Bervin Passmore, and Lester Passmore.
Chester is survived by his wife of 63 years, Georgia Cartwright Passmore, and his children, Judy & Don Jones of Mtn. View, Jeannie & Wayne Dockins of Batesville, and Chester E Jr & Terri Passmore of Harrisburg, Ar. He leaves behind 7 grandchildren, Bob & Tina Jones, Susan Leah & Kevin Green, Amy & Jason Gammill, Chester E III & Melissia Passmore, Lacey & Richie Haertlein, Joshua & Amanda Passmore, and Brady Dockins.
He is also survived by his great grandchildren. Taylor Jones, Bailey Green, Robert Jones, Haydon Green, Alexis Passmore, Eli Dockins, Hannah Passmore, Chester E Passmore IV, Talia Passmore, Jacie Gammill, Lilly Haertlein, and Judah Passmore.
Chester's life was rich and very full. He attended schools in Thola, Marshall, and Fifty Six, Ar. His family traveled to find work throughout the Great Depression, following farm labor in Arkansas and Mississippi. While living in Olive Branch, Mississippi Chester joined the U.S. Coast Guard, in Oct. of 1942. While serving in the Coast Guard, he spent most of his service time in the South Pacific where they supplied Carrier Groups and Ground Forces during WWII. Since Chester reportedly did not drink, the Captain of his ship placed him in charge of the ships store and supply of Liquor to ration to the crew. Chester was discharged in March of 1946.
Chester was married to Georgia Mae Cartwright Passmore on Dec. 31, 1946. He took his family to Washington State to find work, and worked on the Hanford Nuclear Project. They moved back to Arkansas in 1952, and Chester worked for his father in law, George Cartwright, at his sawmill, he also raised chickens for J.K. Sutherland.
After the death of his son Ronnie, in a tragic accident, Chester & Georgia opened a grocery store in Mtn. View. It was during this time that Chester began to develop the relationships that would be the starting point of a Political Career spanning 37 years.
In 1966, Chester was elected County Judge, for the first of two terms in office. It was during this time that He, along with Mayor Tommy Simmons, and local businessmen, Junior Lancaster, Buddy Lackey, Glen Hinkle, and many others were able to bring jobs and progress to the county by the opening of the Blanchard Shirt Factory. Also during this time, plans were being made for the creation of the Ozark Folk Center, and Blanchard Springs Caverns. Upgrades were also made to the local water system, sewer system, and many roads were paved during this time.
After leaving the county judge's office, Chester worked for the Misc. Tax Dept. of the State of Arkansas. It was also during this time that Chester ran for, and was elected to the Mtn. View City Council. He served on the Council for 22 years, under 4 different mayors. He has spent his retirement years gardening, mowing his 6 acre yard weekly, and visiting with his Coffee Shop Buddies. Chester believed in making Stone Co. and the Mtn. View area a place where people can raise their families with old fashioned values and Christian character. He was a leader, and leaves behind a legacy of leadership and forward thinking that are to be admired.
Burial was in Flatwoods Cemetery, Mtn. View.
Pallbearers are Rev. Chester Edd Passmore III, Rev. Joshua Passmore, Bob Jones, Brady Dockins, Robert Jones and Haydon Green.
Honorary pallbearers are Chester Edd Passmore IV, Judah Passmore, Eli Dockins, Hardee's Coffee Shop Boys and Krispy House Coffee Shop Boys.

Contributed on 6/9/13 by sandhollow
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Record #: 890572

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