James “Jim” Lamar Chester, born October 25, 1940, passed away peacefully on November 22, 2025.

A devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, Jim lived a full, adventurous, and deeply faithful life marked by service, integrity, and steadfast love.

Jim shared 66 treasured years of marriage with his beloved wife, Jane Mikell Chester, his high school sweetheart, who also passed away in September 2025. Their bond was a beautiful, lifelong testimony to commitment, partnership, and enduring affection. In the final weeks of his life, Jim missed her deeply.

Born to Clarence and Pauline Chester, both preceding him in death, Jim grew up with a passion for learning and a heart for serving others. From 1959 to 1963, he proudly served in the United States Air Force, where he was trained as an electrical engineer. His active-duty years took him to New Mexico and Christmas Island, where he participated in nuclear testing operations—experiences that shaped both his skill and courage.

In 1968, Jim moved his family to Brevard, North Carolina, where he would make his home for the remainder of his life. There he became an essential part of the Brevard Rescue Squad, serving as a critical team leader for underwater rescue and recovery operations. He was an instructor and instructor trainer for American Red Cross First Aid, Advanced First and and CPR. He later shared his expertise as an instructor in advanced lifesaving and SCUBA diving at Brevard College, drawing from his extensive training with the American Red Cross, PADI, and YMCA programs. His leadership and instruction influenced countless students, rescuers, and divers over the decades. He also trained Jane and his daughters and took them on countless dives before he was badly injured in a motor vehicle accident in 1980.

Jim was a man deeply devoted to Jesus Christ and to his family. Steady, loyal, and quietly loving, he lived out his faith daily—in the way he served, the way he led, and the way he prayed. A voracious reader and devoted student of Scripture, he was also a passionate prayer warrior. His granddaughter, Lee, offered a beautiful tribute to him:
“He was the best Poppa for many reasons, but my favorite thing about him was his love of Jesus and the way he would pray. There may have been 40+ gathered or only 2, but we would join hands no matter what. If you happened to be lucky enough to hold his, then you would have felt the tiny hand hugs he would give as he gently squeezed your hand while he prayed. He prayed for each of us by name, as I am sure he will continue to do in heaven. He was an adventurer, a scuba diver, an avid hunter, and a storyteller. He loved all of us fiercely.”

Along with his sister, Cheryl Jones, Jim is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law—Martin and Patti Reidinger, Mike and Cheri Snipes, and Frank and Julie Moody—as well as many beloved grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Each of them he cherished deeply.

Jim will be remembered for his gentle strength, his unwavering faith, his sense of adventure, and the fierce love he held for his family. His stories, his steady presence, and his prayers will be missed beyond measure, but his legacy lives on in the lives he touched and the hearts he shaped.

Deuteronomy 5:10.

Online condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com

Moody Connolly Funeral Home is caring for the family.