James William Chaney Sr

James William Chaney, Sr. passed away in his home at the age of 80 on Friday January 30th 2026.

He was born in Abilene Texas on November 4th, 1945 to Henry and Bernice Russell. As a young child, he was adopted by his grandparents. While residing with them, he moved around Texas, Oklahoma, and finally California until his grandfather became ill in 1961. At this point, he went back to Oklahoma and Texas to live with family. He would later return to California several years later where he met Nadine, the love of his life, in 1970 in Wasco, California where they married on November 5th,1970. Together, they made a life in Kern County where he worked as a farm laborer.

James and Nadine welcomed their children, James William Chaney Jr. and Sandra Ann Chaney, in 1971 and 1972, respectively. They resided mainly in Kern County where they raised their children. In 1999 James was blessed to become a grandfather for the first time and within the next 7 years he was blessed with 4 more grandchildren. His favorite pastime was spending time with his family and the Lord. Throughout his life, he enjoyed traveling, tinkering with electronics, and painting.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, two sisters, one brother and his second grandson Weslee.

He is survived by his wife Nadine of Delano, his son James of Delano, his daughter Sandra of Chowchilla, and his grandchildren Nicolas of San Luis Obispo, Ben, Micandra, and Rachell of Chowchilla and four sisters of Texas.

Services will be held on February 7th 2026 at 1pm at

Iglesia la vida Pentecostal holiness church

501 Main St Delano CA 93215