WHITEWRIGHT, Texas — Joseph “Doc” Chester Chase was born on Sept. 4, 1939, to Chester Everett Chase and Janice Madren Chase in Franklin, Virginia. He married Barbara Barnett Hahn on Aug. 24, 1991, in San Angelo, Texas.

He passed away at his home in Whitewright, Texas, on April 23, 2018, at the age of 78 years.

Joe had a varied and full life. After graduating from high school, he served his country in the U.S. Air Force, serving for a time in Europe. He returned stateside and, while in the Air Force at Holloman AFB in Alamogordo, New Mexico, he welcomed his son, “Rusty,” into his family.

Joe continued his education throughout his life, getting his bachelor’s, master’s and finally doctorate degrees. He was minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and served in a variety of ministries. He was a professional photographer.

He was also a radio man doing radio programs for a variety of stations over the course of his career. He had a positive country program on KFYN in Bonham called Red River Crossings.

Joe met Barbara Hahn at a missions meeting in San Angelo, Texas. They fell in love and were married. Then they were missionaries in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico, for over a year. They later returned stateside to San Angelo, where they began their adventures together living in Jasper and then Bonham, Texas, and also in Fayetteville, North Carolina. They eventually settled in Whitewright to be near Barbara’s daughter, Terri.

After Barbara passed away in 2009, Joe moved into the Waterford Apartments in Whitewright. He became active in that small community and dearly loved the people there. He walked his dog daily and talked with his neighbors. He was active in security for the apartments wanting to ensure that his community was safe. Self-defense and security were very important to Joe. He gladly shared his knowledge with anyone who was willing to learn.

Joe loved his family, his son, Rusty, and Karen and their children, and Barbara’s family became his own. Joe was greatly loved, and he will be missed.

He is survived by his son, Rusty Chase of Windsor, Virginia; grandchildren, Lindsey Chase of Norfolk, Virginia, Lauren Chase Acey and husband, Ryan, of Windsor; Leigh-Ann Chase of Suffolk, Virginia; great-grandchildren; Eastyn, Annistyn and Bristyn; stepdaughter, Terri Houchin and husband, Jimmie, of Whitewright; grandchildren, Amanda and Philip Howell of North Chesterfield, Virginia; Sara and Tony Lawson of Atlanta, Texas; Joshua David Houchin of Ada, Oklahoma; Rebecca and Zach Vucci of Denison; Micah Houchin of Phoenix, Arizona; Deborah, Jonah, Hannah, Jeremiah and Lydia Houchin, all of Whitewright; great-grandchildren, Jade, Aryana, Joseph, Julian, Abigail, Azrael, Asher and Felicity; and stepbrother, Carter Crawford of Raleigh, North Carolina.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Barbara Chase; daughter-in-law, Karen Chase; sister, Barbara Rideout; stepbrother, Scotty Crawford; and Margaret Chase.

The memorial visitation and celebration of life were at 3 p.m. on Friday, April 27, in Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Chapel, Whitewright. The private family memorial service will be at a later date in Virginia.

Joe was cremated as per his wishes. He will be inurned at Oak Hill Cemetery in Whitewright next to his beloved Barbara.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in memory of Joe Chase to the The National Humane Society of the United States, 1255 23rd St., NW, Suite 450, Washington, D.C. 20037.