Earl Cedell Chessher Jr., 68, of Huntington Beach, California, passed away April 25, 2017, in California.

 

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, May 11, 2017, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center with Bro. Bobby Waller and Bro. Cecil Chessher officiating.  Interment will follow at Weaver Cemetery in Timpson.  Visitation will be held prior to the service, beginning at 11:00 a.m.

 

Earl was born the 8th of January, 1949 to Earl and Margaret Chessher. The oldest of 5 children, he spent his youth doing what every young man of that time did, but even then you could see his ambition and drive. 

After graduating from McArthur High School in Houston, Texas, he soon married and entered into the business world, where he became the manager of the Fedmart stores. But, business was not to be Earl's calling. He soon turned back to his first love... Journalism and Photography... where he spent the rest of his life passionately chasing his dream. 

 

And... what a life it was! As a photo-journalist in Sweetwater, Texas... he covered the Rattlesnake roundup. He was published in national magazines as a contributing writer. He worked in East Texas as an editor and journalist at various newspapers where he would show up to cover a story in a red Corvette. At times, he was bigger than life. But, never one to rest on his laurels, he soon chased his dream to California where once again, he worked as a photo-journalist for Leisure World Newspaper. Then, as an author and videographer and finally as an entrepreneur. He was what society calls a career journalist, author, and business man but at heart he was always a storyteller. All throughout history there have been those individuals who have told the stories of life. First, it was by the fire. Then, by the written word, and now digitally thru video. Many times these storytellers have been overlooked by the world but their lives and stories are the fabric that hold us together as a people. They inspire us. They inform us. And sometimes, they convict us. They are the consciousness of society.

 

Earl was the consummate storyteller. He was at home whether telling a story beside a campfire in East Texas at deer camp. Or, behind a keyboard finishing a book. Or, telling the story of someone's life event with video. His stories were sometimes tall tales, sometimes inspirational, but always entertaining. I will miss his humor and wit but I know every time I sit beside a windswept fire, or finish a good book, or realize a dream.. I will remember the greatest storyteller I have ever known....

 

He is survived by

Son: Travis Earl Chessher of Rogers, Arkansas

 

Grandchildren:

Malachi Dakota Chessher of Waco, Texas

Jason Lee Chessher of Rogers, Arkansas

Sherry Lynne Nicole Chessher of Rogers, Arkansas

Christian Wyatt James Chessher of Rogers, Arkansas

 

Brothers and Sisters:

Clarence Thomas Chessher of Timpson, Texas

Philda Adams and husband, Steve, of Timpson, Texas

Jacquelyn Fountain and husband, Donny, of Center, Texas

Cecil Chessher and wife, Gina, of Center

 

Very Special Friend and Business Partner: Mary Ann Osness and husband, Bill

 

Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends

 

Preceded in death by

Parents: Earl Cedell Chessher, Sr. and Margaret Nell Mitchamore Chessher

 

Pallbearers will be Clarence Chessher, Garrett Adams, Luis Lopez, Darren Fountain, Caden Chessher and Tom Guynes.  Honorary pallbearers will be Andy Cockrell and Blaine Tappley.

 

Online condolences & tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfuneralhome.com