James Lester Chavis

James Lester Chavis, 82, of Darlington died on Thursday, August 31, 2023. James was born on October 8, 1940. He was the son of the late James Lee Chavis and Ruby Johnson. Jim as he was known to friends and family, was born in Rockingham, NC. He graduated from Rockingham High School in 1957 and joined the United States Army right after graduation. He enlisted under the Army Buddy System with his best friend Sanford (Junior) Huggins, but they ended up seperated. Jim completed his Army basic and advanced training and went on to serve at several Army bases to include service in Korea, and in Vietnam as a combat Veteran. After his honorable discharge from the Army, he remained active in Veteran activities through the Veterans of Foregin Wars where he served as a life member and quartermaster for Dillon VFW Post 6091. In 2013 he was named Veteran of the Year by Dillon County Veteran of the Year Organization. At the time of his death, he eas serving as its commander. He was also a member of the American Legion. He regularly volunteered with the Dillon County Help for Verterans organization where he helped deliver bags of food to low-income military families. Jim was very proud of his family and loved them with his whole heart. He leaves behind his daughters, Donna Chavis Pevoto (Loyd), Judy Chavis (Gary), Ryan Derrick (Grant), Lorri Harvard (Vicki), Dannielle Clauson (Josh) and Cheryl Bunch (Rock). His precious grandchildren, Joseph Arnold, Jodi Harding, Ashley Scott, Joy Derrick, Landon Derrick, Lilly Clauson, Aryonna Bunch, Marie Potter, Savannah Crews, Dianna Dowdy, Aubrey Wood and Kelsey Clement; 20 great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild. He also leaves behind his siblings Myra Singletary, Gloria Chavis Gaddy, Deborah DeRatt (Alan) and Bobby Chavis (Nona). He also leaves behind his friend and Native American Traditional Spiritual Leader from the Land of 2 sands, Blue Eagle Brenda Bishop. He loved his family, friends, his motorcycles, the Pee Dee Indian (his native tribe), fishing, Engineering, and creating things. He studied electronics, PLC, circuit analysis and design at Richmond Community College. He also studied radio and TV electronics class of 1976, ADPS computer technology at Fort Monmouth, NJ. He retired from Marion County Technical Education Center where he taught industrial Technology for 12 years until 2006, then worked part time as information Technologist until fully retiring in 2012. Teaching was something that he enjoyed, and he made many close-knit relationships with his students. He will be missed by many but he invested his time into thos he loved while he was here on Earth. "When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice."- Cherokee Proverb. A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at 5:00 PM at The American Legion, 2014 Hwy 9 East, Dillon, SC . A private burial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you donate to the VFW of Dillon, SC, 2042 Highway 9 East Dillon, SC 29536 or to the Help for Veterans, INC. in Dillon, SC .