Chester McCain

Chester A. "Chet" McCain, 80, of Jackson passed away Thursday, April 10, 2014, while on a fishing trip at Kentucky Lake with friends and his nephew, Darin McCain.

He was born Nov. 13, 1933, in Cape Girardeau, son of William "Bill" and Viola Cotner McCain. He and Darlene Martinson were married Dec. 31, 1955. She survives.

Chet enlisted in the military in 1953 and served in the U.S. Air Force until being honorably discharged in 1957. He was a lifelong member of New Bethel Baptist Church in Pocahontas. He was also a member of American Legion Post 158 in Jackson, a lifetime member of the NRA and a former member of the Cape Girardeau County sheriff's patrol.

Chet worked as an electrician and owned CAM Electric in Jackson. He served 15 years as the superintendent of Cape Girardeau County parks and retired in 1995. He was instrumental in the growth of Cape Girardeau County Park North and Cape Girardeau County Park South.

He pitched in local baseball leagues and was inducted into the SEMO Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame. Chet also coached youth softball and spent time behind the plate as an umpire for both softball and baseball.

Loving survivors include his wife of 58 years, Darlene; two daughters, Cheryle Jansen and Marcia (Ron) Clark; three grandchildren, Heidi Jansen Girard, Cole Jansen and Bobby Clark; and a brother, Larry (Judy) McCain, all of Jackson.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two infant brothers.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson, and from 9:30 a.m. until service time Monday at New Bethel Baptist Church near Pocahontas.

The funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at the church, with Rev. Ken Grant officiating.

Interment will follow in the church cemetery with graveside military honors.

Memorials may be given to the New Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, American Diabetes Association or American Heart Association.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting mccombsfuneralhome.com.