Christopher Lynn Massey

Funeral services for Chris Massey, 73, of Center will be held at 10:00am Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at Laird Funeral Home, officiated by Ronald Hancock. Interment will follow at Eden Cemetery in Douglass. A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00pm on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at Laird Funeral Home. Mr. Massey passed away on May 16, 2025, in Magnolia, Texas. He was born in McAllen, Texas on June 15, 1951, to the late John and Dorothy (Christopher) Massey.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Christopher Lynn Massey, 73, of Nacogdoches, Texas, who passed away May 16, 2025, surrounded by loved ones.
Chris was born June 15, 1951, in McAllen, Texas to John Arville and Dorothy Kathleen Massey. Chris grew up on an orange grove in South Texas with his family until the age13. In July 1964, Chris and his family moved to Nacogdoches where he attended school and graduated in 1969. Following graduation, he married his high school sweetheart, Kaye Hamby. Shortly after, they moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma where Chris attended Spartan School of Aeronautics. After completing school, Chris received a position with Pratt and Whitney Aircraft in West Palm Beach Florida where he specialized in building engines for the SR-71 Blackbird. After missing East Texas, they moved back to Nacogdoches where Chris began his career as a master carpenter. Chris left a legacy in our community where he built many beautiful homes, churches and businesses. For the past 25 years, Chris was dedicated to building everything for the Drewery Family Business.
Chris is the proud father of Cam and Chaye Massey. Chris loved his family dearly and committed his life to spending quality time with the boys as he taught them to hunt, fish, play sports and how to appreciate the outdoors. Chris also took a lot of pride in modeling a tremendous work ethic as well as passing down his carpentry skills and expertise.
Chris was an avid dog lover which was evident to all those around the Nacogdoches community. Throughout the years, Chris enjoyed competing in various field trial competitions across Texas with his labrador retrievers. Chris enjoyed taking the labs to work with him on a daily basis and truly valued the frequent conversations with other dog lovers across Nacogdoches.
Chris and DeLania Williams were married on April 22, 2023. Together, they enjoyed caring for and raising their sweet and gentle farm animals on their homestead.
Chris is preceded in death by his wife, Kaye Massey; parents, John Massey and Dorothy Massey-Vaughn; stepfather, Ross Vaughn; stepbrother, Randall Vaughn; brother-in-law, Dennis Norris.
He is survived by his wife, DeLania Massey of Center; son, Cam Massey and wife, Jessica, of Magnolia; son, Chaye Massey and wife, Connie, of Nacogdoches; sister, Johnnie Dale Norris, of Nacogdoches; stepdaughter, Sarah Manchack and wife, Kristin, of Center; stepson, Lane Manchack and fiancé, Maia Powell of Nacogdoches; stepson, Clay Manchack of Johnson City; brother-in-law, Terry Hamby and wife, Helen, of Nacogdoches; niece, Angie Pitts, and husband Mark of San Augustine; nephew, Cody Hamby, and wife, Nicole of Midland; Denise Norris-Dickson, and husband, Jim of Tyler; niece, Kristie Norris of Nacogdoches; grandchildren Michael, Maggie, Mack, and Meyer John Massey, of Nacogdoches; grandchildren Gatlin and Savannah Massey, of Magnolia; grandchildren, Leland and Shealynn Dozier, of Center; grandchildren, Cayden, Kyla, and Yanna Manchack, of Nacogdoches; grandchild, Paxyn Manchack, of Johnson City.
Serving as Pallbearers are Cam Massey, Chaye Massey, Korey Mullins, Michael Massey, Sarah Manchack and Lane Manchack. Honorary Pallbearers are Bear Kimbrough, Clay Manchack, Cody Hamby, John Ray Baxter and Keith & the Drewery Family.
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