Obituary of Harold Lee Chesser

August 25, 1936 - October 3, 2025

Harold Lee Chesser - known to those who loved him best as Honey, Daddy, PawPaw, Pop, and Uncle Harold - passed away at his home in Hemphill, TX, on October 3, 2025, at the age of 89.

Harold was born on August 25, 1936, the eldest of seven, in Vidor, TX, to Ruby Lee (Peveto) and John Dorman Chesser. For many years, he worked alongside his father and Uncle Louis at family-owned Chesser’s Butane & Lumber Company in Vidor, but eventually retired in 1992 from Continental Grain Company Elevator in Beaumont, TX. A life-long worker, Harold’s joy in retirement was to continue working, only now he was able to focus on work that fed his soul - fishing, hunting, woodworking, gardening, and yard work. Though sometimes a man of few words - unless the subject was hunting - Harold shared his love best through acts of service and the gift of his wood crafts. Ever the Mr. Fix-It, he would never turn away from helping someone who needed something restored or made.

Harold was preceded in death by his sons Guy Chesser, Mark Chesser, and Todd Chesser; parents John Dorman and Ruby Lee Chesser; brothers JD Chesser and Keith Chesser; sisters Yvonne Chesser and Betty Jo Richter; grandson Roudy Odom; and best-dog, Sparkplug.

He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Bilbie (Poole) Chesser of Hemphill; son Harold Lee “Butch” Chesser II of Vidor; daughters Dawn Garig, and husband Russell, of Zavalla, Tessa Bailey of Hemphill, and Sherrie Chesser of Lufkin; sister Carolyn Godeaux, and husband Vincent, of Vidor; brother Malcolm Chesser of Vidor; 14 grandchildren and 1 foster-grandchild; 22 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; and best-dog #2 Slugger.

Services will be held at Riley Funeral Home in Woodville, TX, on Friday, October 10, 2025, with visitation at 12:00 p.m. and service following at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Fairmount Cemetery on Hwy. 87 in Hemphill (Yellowpine), TX at 4:00 p.m.

Serving as pallbearers will be Corey Chesser, Derrick Garig, Dalton Odom, Jedidiah Garig, K-C “BamBam” Odom, and Mark “Lil’ Pooh” Chesser. Serving honorary pallbearers will be Andy Turner, Chase Odom, Charles Garig, Josh Long, Calvin Ezell, Brad Nealy, Carl Hancock, and Scott McMullen.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the National Ataxia Foundation (www.ataxia.org) in memory of the family members lost to this disease.