Al Chesser

1914 - 2016

Al H. Chaser, known to his family as "Daddy Jim", our beloved Patriarch, passed away peacefully on September 25, 2016, at the age of 102, from natural causes. His life was truly a life of which movies and classics are written. He was born on February 26, 1914 to James and Mary Pearl Chaser on a farm near Hughesville, Missouri, not far from Sedalia. He grew up on that farm learning the core values of honesty and hard work. He remembered the chores which started at an early age beginning before dawn and running until dark. He also remembered that in those days there was only wellwater and no electricity on the farm. His brother John and Sister Mary helped Al and their parents there on the farm and later when they moved into town in Hughesville. He attended school in a one-room school near Hughesville. Meat was cured and stored and the garden was the main fruit and vegetable source, which was canned and stored. Al described this work as "...tiring, but a good tired at the end of the day." Al later went to work at a Krogers Grocery Store, and became one of their youngest Store Managers. While working there, he met the first love of his life, Rose. After they married, he began working for the Santa Fe Railroad, which took them to Amarillo, Texas. While working there, Al began his ultimate career as a Union Leader, rising from a local officer representing his membership to the Texas State Legislative Board of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen. Along the way, he became fast friends with a rising star in Texas Politics named Lyndon B Johnson. Al quickly became known nationally in the Union as an accomplished veteran in Legislative matters and was elected the National Legislative Director of the BRT. When the BRT merged with three additional railroad unions to become the United Transportation Union, he was elected the UTU's first National Legislative Director. In that capacity, the UTU successfully passed 6 pieces of legislation in one session, a record which still stands today. He was later elected to the position of President of the UTU and held that position until his retirement in 1979. While he was President, he was also a member of the Board of the AFL-CIO. It is impossible to name all of his Congressional friends, and it is important to note that he was a friend to six US Presidents, and flew on both Marine One and Air Force One with President Johnson. After his retirement, he was awarded the highest honor which can be afforded a Union Leader in 2001 when he was honored with the Eugene V Debs Award. Because of Al Chesser's life, the lives of so many Americans have been blessed. He would be the first to credit others who also gave their full support to everyone whose lives Al touched. His loving wife Rose, who preceded him in death. His daughter Polly Seale and her husband Jack Seale. His grandchildren Pam Kiker, Rosemary Harris, David Seale, Kelly Seale and the late James Patrick Seale. Great-grandchildren include John Kiker, Chris Kiker, Polly Gilligan, Ashley Sakker, Adrienne Barrett and Jordan Harris. Great-great Grandchildren include, Jack Kiker, Julianne Kiker, Jeb Kiker, Hailey Kiker, Matt Kiker, Tildsley Gilligan, Spencer Gilligan, Sophie Sakker, Caleb Sakker, Austin Barrett and William Barrett. His sister Mary Herndon and her late husband Sam Herndon. His nephews the Honorable David Herndon, James Herndon and John Herndon. Additionally, his niece Cheri Speer, daughter of Al's late brother John Chaser. Al was also blessed by his late second wife, the loving Barbara Corrine, and her daughter Sandie Propst and son Dick Smith. Additional grand-children through Corrine include Scott Smith, Spence Smith and Shelby Smith, Brooke Faulkner and Blake Propst. Great-great grandchildren also from Corinne's family include Jess Smith, Jordan Smith, Owen Smith, Quinn Smith, Pryia Smith, Alex Smith, Judah Smith, Micah Smith, Claire Faulkner, Matt Faulkner, Grant Faulkner, Brandt Propst and Holden Propst. A public viewing will be held on Friday, September 30, 2016 at Horan & McConaty, 5303 E County Line Road, Centennial, CO 80122, from 4 until 6 PM. Services will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2016 at the Littleton Church of Christ, 6495 South Colorado Blvd, Centennial, CO 80121, beginning at 10 AM. A private interment will be held shortly thereafter at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Al has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to either the Adoption Exchange, Step 13 or Littleton Church of Christ Mission Projects.