John Chatmas II

Surnames: CHATMAS, XYDIAS, WIGGINS, BROWN, LIPPARD, TILLMAN, BROWN, MECHANT

John CHATMAS, II, b March 23, 1918 is one of three children of James Constantine and Marcia (XYDIA) CHATMAS, natives of Greece and Turkey, respectively. John (called "Johnny") was named for his Uncle John CHATMAS I. He was a graduate of Marlin High School, attended Virginia Military Institute, and earned his degree in geo-physics from the University of Texas in Austin.

On July 11, 1942, Johnny was married to Frances Elizabeth WIGGINS, b August 5, 1922 a daughter of Ellie and Mariah Victoria (Brown) Criswell WIGGINS. The same year, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force during World War II, serving in Ireland, North Africa, and Italy.

After the war, Johnny was associated with his father and brother, J. C., Jr., in the theater business. Later, he purchased the CHATMAS Wholesale Business, established and operated by John CHATMAS I for many years. That business was sold and for twenty-five years Johnny was associated with the Prudential Life Insurance Company, where he was an executive, a member of the Million Dollar Round Table Life Underwriters and President of the Fort Worth General Agents and Manager's Association.

After living in Fort Worth for a few years. Johnny and Frances returned to Marlin where the resumed Civic, social, and religious activities. They are members of the First Presbyterian Church where Johnny is serving as an elder. He is past president of the Heart of Texas Councils of Governments, a member of the City Council of Marlin since 1981, President of Calvary Cemetery Association, President of Marlin Civic Center, former President of the Marlin Country Club, and a member of the Rotary Club. Frances is active in the Presbyterian Women of the Church and is a Circle Chairman.

Johnny and Frances are the parents of two surviving children of three:
John Thomas CHATMAS, b November 1, 1945, is a graduate of University of Texas, Austin, and earned
his Master's degree in Fine Arts at Pratt University in New York. He is an instructor in the Arts Department at McLennan County Junior College in Waco, Texas. He married first to Mary Jo LIPPARD and had John Thomas CHATMAS, Jr., b August 18, 1967; and married second on June 19, 1978 to Patricia Ann TILLMAN.

Richard Francis CHATMAS, b May 23, 1949, d. September 3, 1949, buried in Calvary Cemetery, Marlin,
Texas.

Frances Elizabeth CHATMAS called "Fran", b April 8, 1951, a graduate of Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, was married first on May 19, 1973 to Ricky Dan BROWN who died on November 27, 1983. They had two children: Daniel William BROWN, b August 16, 1975 and Elizabeth Mariah BROWN, b June 14, 1979. Fran was married second on March 22, 1986 to Russell Scott MERCHANT, and they reside in San Antonio, Texas.

Typed by: Phyllis Seeley

Some biographies from "Families of Falls County", compiled and edited by the Falls County Historical Commission.
Permission granted to Theresa Carhart by the Falls County Historical Commission, for use on this page.