James Maurice Chestney

1940 - 2023

After 83 years of being a blessing to all who knew him, James (Jim) Maurice Chestney was welcomed home by our Heavenly Father on September 30, 2023.  He was born in Mansfield, Ohio on September 22, 1940, to Reginald and Betty (Ruffer) Chestney.  Jim graduated from Mansfield High School in 1958 and proudly joined the United States Air Force. 

Jim was a Vietnam Veteran and spent most of his military career as a Missile Maintainer being presented numerous medals, awards and ribbons for his service.  Throughout his Air Force career, Jim lived in North Dakota, North Carolina, and California.  Jim met the love of his life, Doris (Leonard) Ringhausen while stationed in Minot, North Dakota.  They married in 1974 and enjoyed 41 years of marriage until Doris’ death in 2015.  After 24 years of service, Jim retired at Vandenberg Air Force Base, to continue his missileer career as a dedicated Lockheed Martin employee working the Titan program. 

Jim thoroughly enjoyed participating in numerous volunteer opportunities around the community with Veteran’s Affairs, Lompoc Valley Medical Center, Meals on Wheels and PCPA.

He was a devoted family man to his sisters Ruth Ann Chestney (Mansfield, OH), Marian (Chestney) Blanton (Mansfield, OH), stepchildren Leslie (Ringhausen) Mayer (Saint Paul, MN), Lisa (Ringhausen) Nagurski (Duluth, MN) and John Ringhausen (deceased). He was an ever-present grandfather to his grandson’s Chris Ringhausen (Lompoc, CA) and Mike Ringhausen (Santa Barbara, CA) and papa to his great grandchildren.  Throughout his life, Jim was known as a dear friend and his life has been an inspiration to many.