Cecil Ray "Cap" Chesser

Cecil Ray “Cap” Chesser

1947—2023

Cecil Ray “Cap” Chesser, Jr., was born on October 8, 1947, in Olustee, a small town in far southwest Oklahoma. He passed from this life on July 20, 2023, in Denison, Texas, at age 75.

Cap graduated high school in Altus, Oklahoma, where his father, Cecil R. Chesser, Sr., was a teacher. Later, his father became Dean of Western Oklahoma State College (WOSC). His mother, Loweta M. (Cross) Chesser, a noted artist, was the original curator of the Museum of the Western Prairie in Altus.

Cap made a profession of faith in Christ as a young boy in the First Baptist Church of Altus. He maintained that commitment throughout his life.

After graduating high school in Altus in 1965, Cap attended Oklahoma University (OU) on an academic scholarship to study journalism and communication. While at OU, he played on the intramural basketball team with great success. Realizing, however, that the NBA was not in his future, Cap went on to graduate in 1969.

From 1970 until 1974, Cap served in the United States Army, moving through military ranks to achieve the rank of Captain. His tour of duty included Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Germany, and Vietnam with the 82nd Airborne Division. That particular division specializes in parachute assault operations into denied areas. Captain Chesser was awarded the Bronze Star, a decoration presented for heroic service in a combat zone.

With military service behind him, Cap decided it was time for him to join the business world. At a job fair in Oklahoma City, he made contact with representatives from Merrill Lynch. The job available seemed to fit Cap’s skills and academic background, so he was hired. He spent 30 years with the company, serving in Oklahoma City, Jacksonville, Florida, New Haven, Connecticut, Amarillo, Texas, and Dallas, Texas. During his tenure with Merrill Lynch, He began as a broker, and then in 1987, he was moved into management. For his final ten years with the firm, he was over all of the North Texas offices.

While serving in the Amarillo office, Cap met and fell in love with Jacqueline Gay Vandiver on a blind date in 1994. He was smitten. They were married on September 23, 1995, in Plano, Texas. Besides their love for dogs (Dachshunds, in particular), Cap and Jacqueline were avid Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Mavericks fans, seldom missing a game.

One of Cap’s more impressive feats was the fact that he ran the New York Marathon twice.

Cap retired from Merrill Lynch in 1997. Five years later, he and Jacqueline moved back to Amarillo. There, Cap became an active Rotarian.

In 2008, after having undergone a quadruple bypass surgery, Cap and Jacqueline decided to make their home on Lake Texoma their permanent residence. Soon after joining the Denison, Texas, community, he became involved in several organizations, including the Rotary Club. He served as president of that group for several years and earned the honor of being a Paul Harris Fellow.

Before passing away, Cap Chesser left a legacy of generosity and service. His philanthropic contributions include the following:

Underwrote the Cecil R. Chesser Lecture Series at the Western Oklahoma State College (WOSC) in honor of his father

Endowed the Loweta M. Chesser Art Scholarship Program, recognizing his mother's accomplishments. He also created and furnished the Loweta Chesser Conference Room at WOSC.

Funded the construction of three Pentecostal Holiness churches on mission fields (Panama, Myanmar, and Peru), in recognition of the life and ministry of his maternal grandparents, Rev.                James W. and Fannie Mae (McKee) Cross

Established a scholarship program at Amarillo College and a memorial at Reba’s Ranch House in Denison, honoring his late wife, Jacqueline Vandiver Chesser (Jacqueline preceded Cap               in death on June 22, 2020.)

Established the Cross Family Scholarship Program for ministerial students at Southwestern Christian University in Bethany, Oklahoma

Cap Chesser was predeceased by his father, Cecil R. Chesser, Sr., and his wife, Jacqueline Gay Chesser.

He is survived by his mother, Loweta Mae Chesser, of Altus, Oklahoma; his brother, Dr. Ronald K. Chesser, and his fiancé, Linda Spencer, of Denison, Texas; his beloved nieces and nephews and their children: Mandy Pasdon, Paul Chesser, Christie Krugh, and Nick Chesser. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Madelline Herrmann; three sisters-in-law and their husbands: Vickie and Jimmy Coslett, Judy, and Michael Blevins; and Carol and Larry Robinson. A host of extended family members and friends also grieve his passing.

A memorial service for Cap Chesser is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at Schooler Funeral Home in Amarillo, Texas. The graveside service will follow at 11 a.m. in Llano Cemetery with Pastor Greg Corona as officiant.

The service will be live-streamed. It may be viewed live or later via the Schooler Funeral Home website www.schoolerfuneralhome.com  under  Cap's Obituary and service information.  The view button will be available on the day of the funeral at the bottom of Cap’s obituary.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The American Cancer Society and/or the ASPCA.