James Chavis

James Chavis, 74, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, died Tuesday, July 28, 2015, at Harbor Hospice in Lake Charles with his family by his side. James was born Sept. 1, 1940, in Opelousas. In 1957, he moved to Lake Charles and was hired as a member of the course maintenance staff at the Lake Charles Country Club. The Country Club would become an integral part of James' life. He accumulated countless lifelong friends there, learned to play golf and fell in love with it, and held numerous positions including caddying for local amateurs and managing the bag and men's locker room. James retired from the Country Club in 2010 after 53 years. He became a beloved figure who knew everyone and their families by nameand they knew and loved him. When he retired in 2010, the Country Club honored James and his career, lauding his dedication, loyalty and sense of humor. Mike Veron, who served as master of ceremonies for the program, said, "There is no one living who is as big a part of the (country club) history" as James. "In the process of taking care of us alland becoming our best friendJames Chavis became the Lake Charles Country Club," Veron added. Family was also the centerpiece of James' life. He met his wife, Beatrice, at Christ the King School in Bellevue when they were teenagers in the 1950s. They were married in 1960, and she joined him in Lake Charles where they built their life together. James, who was known for giving nicknames to his closest family members and friends, had many of his own, including "Duggie," "Jamsie," "Hot Toe," "Old Dawg," and "Fuzz." He will be remembered for his bright smile, generosity and fun-loving attitude. He enjoyed fishing, crabbing, betting on horse racing, cooking for his family and spending time with those he loved. He was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Beatrice Lewis Chavis; two sons, John (Sheila) Chavis and Darold (Joan) Chavis; two daughters, Vanessa Chavis (Larry) Frank and Charlotte Chavis; seven grandchildren, Lia, Lance, Alyssa, Jordan, Tiffany, Alisha and Josiah; three great-grandchildren, Leland, Lauren and Clint; four sisters, Josie Dell Chavis, Clarisa Charles, Davy Brown and Marie Jones; a brother, Alfred Chavis; and a host of other family members and longtime friends. Visitation will be at 8 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 1, at Johnson Funeral Home followed by a rosary at 9 a.m. A Catholic mass at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church will be held at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Highland Memorial Gardens Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Harbor Hospice of Lake Charles in memory of James Chavis.