James Thomas Chester, Jr.

June 22, 1941 - May 26, 2015

James "Tom" Thomas Chester, Jr., 73, of Savannah, passed away Tuesday, May 26, 2015 in Savannah, TX. He was born June 22, 1941 in North Tonawanda, NY to James and Olga (Woryk) Chester, Sr. Tom married Carol Greene on April 20, 1969 at Fort Gordon in Augusta, GA. Tom grew up in North Tonawanda, NY where he learned to love the game of basketball. Not only was he a star player at North Tonawanda High School, but he also went on to play for the Golden Griffs at Canisius College where he earned a BA degree in English (and later an MBA from Xavier University). One of his proudest moments was being admitted into the Canisius Hall of Fame for basketball, baseball and cross country. He excelled in a career in the United States Army where he served in Vietnam, graduated from the Naval War College, and led as Commander of the Criminal Investigation Division in W. Germany. Eventually he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after 20 years of service. He is survived by his wife Carol of Savannah, TX; son, James "Jim" T. Chester, III and wife Courtney (Gregory) of Atlanta, GA; daughter, Lisa Chester Rubio of Frisco, TX; four grandchildren, Ava Rubio, Alex Rubio, Reese Chester, James "J.T." T. Chester, IV; cousin, Bill Woryk and wife Millie of Troy, OH. He was preceded in death by his parents. A memorial service will be held at 4:00PM, Friday, May 29, 2015 at Slay Memorial Chapel of Aubrey, TX with Pastor Larry Evans officiating. Online condolences may be shared at www.slaymemorialfuneralhome.com. Services are under the direction of Terri Slay and Slay Memorial Funeral Center, Aubrey, TX. To send a flower arrangement to the family of James Thomas Chester, Jr., please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.