Submitted by
Ruth M. Brown
James C.
Chatmas, Jr.
Birth:
June 9, 1916
Marlin, Falls County, Texas
Death:
January 6, 2007
Marlin, Falls County, Texas
Burial:
Calvary Cemetery
Marlin, Falls County, Texas
Waco
Tribune-Herald
January 7,
2007
James was born
to Mr. and Mrs. James C. Chatmas, Sr., who owned and operated three theatres in
Marlin before, during, and after the famous hot mineral bath era, turning the
Falls County seat into a boomtown early in this century.
He graduated
from Marlin High School in 1933 and Texas A&M University in 1937. He has
remained a devoted Aggie supporter. In December 1940, Chatmas entered the U.S.
Air Force as a flying cadet, and after receiving his pilot wings, married Maxine
Whitten on Aug. 28, 1941.
While serving in
the military during World War II, he rose to the rank of Lt. Colonel. He was a
pilot training instructor, and for the last three years of his World War II
military service, he was a staff officer in Headquarters U.S. Air Training
Command, Fort Worth, Texas. He graduated from the Command and General Staff
School in 1944. He gained a commendation from General Chiang Kaishek and a
pilot's commission in the Chinese Air Force for his successful training of
Chinese pilots and preparing them for combat in the Chinese Air Force. He was
noted for being an outstanding and cautious pilot. He was recalled to active
duty during the Korean conflict and served in Headquarters, U.S. Air Force,
Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
Except while in the military service, he
and his wife lived in Marlin during their more than 65 years of marriage. He has
been the epitome of the old time gentleman in all areas of his life, especially
as a husband and father. He was devoted to his wife, as well as his children and
grandchildren. He has always been known for his integrity, which has been above
reproach, and is noted for being a loyal friend to many. He always wanted to do
what was right, undertook every task seriously, and made certain every aspect of
the situation was properly handled. He was detail oriented even throughout his
last years. His accountability, pleasant nature, and patient personality made
him a respected favorite among his cronies, employees, peers, associates, and
especially his family.
He was publisher
and part owner of the then 100 year old Marlin Daily Democrat Newspapers for
nearly twenty years until he retired in 1981. He was known in the central Texas
area for his "Dateline Marlin" column published in the Marlin Daily Democrat.
His "Thoughts While Shaving" comments in that column were quoted frequently in
other newspapers around the state. In 1985, the trade journal of the Texas Daily
Newspaper Association featured a full-page article about Chatmas' column. They
wrote: "But for just good, simple humor, drawing on the foibles of our times and
the people and happenings in a small Texas town, 'Dateline Marlin' is the
closest thing we've seen since 'Will Rogers Says'."
Due to his
involvement in newspaper activities, Marlin became known as the smallest town in
the U.S. with a wire service daily newspaper. During this era, he was very
involved in his community, serving on too-many-to-name committees and boards. He
has been instrumental in moving Marlin forward in many areas.
In both military
and civilian life his contemporaries honored Chatmas. He was chosen to be an
Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Marlin; was honored as "Outstanding
Citizen" in 1980 and in 1995 was named recipient of the "William Parrish - Hazel
Falconer Goddard Service Award" by the Marlin Chamber of Commerce; was elected
president of the Marlin Chamber of Commerce, the Marlin Industrial Foundation
and the Allen House Board; was elected president of the Texas Press Association;
served a directorship in the Texas Daily Newspaper Association; was named to the
governor's 100 Committee by Lt. Governor Bill Hobby; received the Mark Francis
Award for journalistic excellence; was commissioned a "Texas Colonel" by
Governor John Connally; was commissioned by governor Dolph Briscoe to be an
"Admiral in the Texas Navy"; was awarded the "Public Media" plaque by the Soil
Conservation District of Texas; was a governor's appointee to the Board of
Directors of the Brazos River Authority; and was elected to the First Texas
Silver Haired Legislature to represent Falls, Limestone and Freestone Counties.
He was a member of The Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi;
Marlin Rotary Club from 1938 to 1982; the Real County deer hunting group; and
the "Interruption Society." He was an avid golfer until age 84, and at the age
of 88, he volunteered to serve as a Marlin City Council member to fill an
unexpired term. J.C. Chatmas was truly a servant, devoting countless hours to
serve his family, church, town, state, and country.
He was preceded
in death by his parents, known by all as "Popsey" and "Momsey"; his brother,
John Chatmas, II and his wife Frances; and his brother-in-law, Ray Gilley.
Survivors
include his wife, Maxine; his three children, Connie McLelland and husband,
Bill, of Waco, Dr. Robert W. Chatmas and wife, Judy, of Carbondale, Colo., Dr.
Jay C. Chatmas, III and wife, Carmen, of Cape Elizabeth, Maine; grandchildren,
Rich and his wife, Melanie, Robin, Chase, James, Lauren, and Evan;
great-granddaughter, Chloe; sister, Evangeline "Sis" Gilley, of Houston; and
many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Arrangements by
Adams Funeral Home, Marlin, Texas.
