J Dee Chastain

J. Dee Chastain of Siloam Springs, Ark., passed away Wednesday, September 28, 2022, at the age of 90. J.D. passed peacefully with his beloved wife, Carrie, and daughter, Lila, by his side. J.D. was born in Gentry, Ark., on September 3, 1932 to mother, Elsie Butler, and father, Howard Chastain. J.D. was the only brother to four sisters, Lila, Onita, Mazelle, and Kaye. He was valedictorian of Gentry High School Class of 1950. J.D. married Carrie Mae Luther on January 14, 1951 in the local community building. He entered the active duty Air Force in October of 1952 where he served as a Special Weapons Technician at Keesler AFB and Sandia/Kirtland AFB. He was honorably discharged June of 1956 to attend the University of Arkansas Engineering program. J.D. graduated from the University of Arkansas in the Spring of 1959 with High Honors. Before graduating, he was already employed by D.H. Baldwin and Company where he worked 36 years and retired as Divisional Vice President, though he would never refer to himself as management. He later served on the Mississippi board of manufacturers as Chairman of the 13th District. In 1964, J.D. was ordained a deacon at Central Baptist Church of Fayetteville, Ark. In 1975, Eastgate Baptist Church in Greenwood, Miss., began in their home. He later helped to build the church a building. In 1995, J.D. retired from D.H. Baldwin and Company and the family moved back to Northwest Arkansas. He joined the Arkansas Mission Builders which helped build Baptist churches in Arkansas, one of which is Pathway Baptist church where he became a Charter member. He is proceeded in death by his parents, Howard and Elsie Chastain, and his sister, Onita Joyce Copeland who passed in May of this year. He is survived by his wife Carrie Mae Chastain and sisters Lila Oliphant, Mazelle Johnston, and Kaye Lair, his children Doug Chastain (Tammy), Bryan Chastain (Theresa), and Lila Muchow (Walter), his grandchildren Ryle (Paige), Ashley (Ricardo), Rachel (Wesley), Anthony (Bailie), Tucker (Brittany), Kayley, Alyssa, Crystal, Jessica, and 10 great-grandchildren. A visitation for J.D. is planned for Sunday, October 2, 5-7 p.m. The visitation will be at Wasson Funeral Home on 441 US-412, Siloam Springs, Ark., 72761. All are invited to attend. The funeral will follow Monday, October 3 at Landmark Missionary Baptist Church, 1705 South Mount Olive in Siloam Springs, at 10 a.m. Anyone wishing to honor J.D.'s lifelong commitment to family and community can make donations to The Central Project at Pathway Baptist Church, PO Box 9117, Fayetteville, Ark., 72703, or to Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Rd, Springdale, Ark., 72762.