John Lee Chaney

John Lee Chaney, 48, of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away on May 1, 2016 after a brief illness at Baptist Health Medical Center. He was born in Little Rock on October 2, 1967, and was preceded in death by his mother Mary Lillian Lee Chaney and his grandparents Loreen Meador and John Hunter Lee. John grew up and attended school in Jonesboro, Arkansas, where he participated in Special Olympics and particularly enjoyed success in swimming. Also while in Jonesboro, John worked for Pizza Hut and was honored for his hard work as the disabled employee of the year in the state of Arkansas. In November 2002, after he had moved to Little Rock, John became a client of AEDD, a wonderful organization that provided him with work opportunities, independent living and many lifelong friends. In addition, John participated in numerous activities including proms, summer camps, beach trips and Miracle League baseball. The entire family would like to convey heartfelt thanks to the staff of AEDD for all the love and kindness they showed John over the years. Indeed, they are like a second family to him. John was sweet, kind, caring and funny. He enjoyed bowling and dancing. He loved music and would often sit and listen to his favorite rock or disco songs, legs crossed, swaying to the beat. He was always generous with his famous smile and big warm hugs. A loving pat on the head from John Chaney was a coveted honor. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. John is survived by a family who loves him very much, including his brother, Don Chaney of Little Rock; his sisters Marjorie Chaney Powell (Curtis) of Dallas, Rebecca Chaney Campbell (Phil) of Little Rock, Marianne Chaney Hudson of Fayetteville; and his many nephews and nieces John Hunter Cooper (Lindsey) of Little Rock, Ross Snow Cooper of Napa, California, Susannah Lee Powell of Fayetteville, Harper Lee Hudson Fayetteville, Camille Michelson Powell of Dallas, John Arthur Hudson of Fayetteville, and Calvin Lee Chaney of Little Rock. A funeral service will be held at Ruebel Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at 11 a.m. followed by a short visitation and then burial at Forest Hills Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Arkansas Enterprises for the Developmentally Disabled (AEDD) at 105 E. Roosevelt Road, Little Rock, Ark., 72206 or www.aeddinc.org. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.