John Arthur Chesson

JOHN ARTHUR CHESSON entered the world on Sept 23, 1936 at Ged (suburbs of Vinton), Louisiana and departed this life not far from his place of birth on Nov 26, 2015. In between he starred in football at Vinton High, served in the U.S. Navy, played semi-pro football for the LC Pelicans, was a successful businessman, loved his county and country life, and enjoyed horses, cattle, and growing and raising anything-- especially young people and the spirits of elders. Wherever good music was playing, he left beaucoup bootprints on dance floors along with miles of his best smiles. His finest fault was taking to heart the words of Jesus “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me,” and the patriot John Arthur version of “Give me your tired, your poor…. send these, the tempest-tossed to me: I lift my lamp beside my always open door” while acting tough, sounding stern, and accused of being opinionated. (He left this world convinced the future will ultimately prove HIS opinions on sports, politics, society and humanity WERE the right ones). He enjoyed serving many years alongside his wife, Diane, at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Sulphur, where his shadow will be seen in the Pumpkin Patch that supports youth programs. His hands helped prepare pumpkin puree for literally thousands of loaves of pumpkin bread and countless kibbe dinner ingredients, when not setting up, cleaning up, or trying to herd kids. If not attending church, school and sports events of those he loved in person, he searched the newspaper for articles he clipped and proudly shared over coffee. John is survived by his favorite jitterbug partner, Diane Borel Chesson; brother Clyde Chesson/Chaisson, sisters Betty Hawthorne of Montgomery, LA and Georgia McCauley of Georgetown, TX; daughter Vanessa Chesson Daigle, her husband Mark, and their children Shane, DeeDee and Casey; daughter Cheri’ Chesson Brown and her son Jace; stepson Michael Dwayne Fontenot, his wife Nelda and his children Desiree, Gabriel, Daniel and Adam; granddaughter Ashley Simon;  12 great-grandchildren and SO many more who called him PaPaw. He selflessly cared for several who went before him, including his son Mike “Speedy” Chesson, his mother Odelia “Bea” Vice Ellis, his mother-in-law Corrine Borel, and aunt Rosamea Husers.  John was also predeceased by his father Clyde Joseph Chesson, father-in-law Eugene Borel and brother-in-law, hunting buddy and partner in mischief and mayhem Ronald J. Borel. Friends and family may drop by Johnson & Robison Funeral Home in Sulphur on Friday, Nov. 27 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM to share hugs and swap tales. Visitation will continue at the funeral home on Saturday, Nov 28 from 8:00 AM – 10:30 AM before the service at 11:00 AM in Holy Trinity Episcopal Church of Sulphur with celebrant Mother Ally Perry leading. Interment will follow with military honors in Mimosa Pines Gardens Cemetery in Carlyss.   John asked of any he touched, to please pay it forward by making memorials to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital of Memphis, Shriner’s Hospitals for Children of Louisiana, or Holy Trinity Episcopal Church of Sulphur.