Obituary of Jack Steven Chestnut

Jack Steven Chestnut, 72, of Hillsborough, NC, died on the morning of October 2, 2017. Jack was born and raised in Ohio. He moved to Missouri for his senior year of high school to live with his older brother, Charlie. While working at a department store, he met the woman he would later marry, Merry. After high school, Jack served in the Air Force and was stationed mostly on the island of Guam. In 1964, Jack and Merry were married. They were married for 53 years. Merry and Jack left the Midwest and made North Carolina their home. Jack worked at Carol Woods Residential Retirement Center in Chapel Hill for 30 years. He was the director of residential services for 20 years and then managed the Community Contacts and Special Projects for the Aging for 10 years. Jack was very much committed and involved with numerous boards and committees related to the seniors in Chapel Hill, NC. He was involved with the Orange County Advisory Board on Aging, Orange County Master Aging Plan, Chapel Hill's HUD 202 Low Income Senior Housing, Orange County Affordable Housing, Chapel Hill Senior Center Board, Hillsborough Senior Center Board, Chapel Hill YMCA Board, Orange County founder of a 501c3 Not For Profit Adult Day Health Center. He was past president of the Chapel Hill Sunrise Rotary Club. Jack had many interest and hobbies but fishing, golfing, visiting Walt Disney World, watching sports, and spending time with friends and family were among his favorites. Jack and Merry were best friends and went just about everywhere together. They especially enjoyed spending time with their granddaughter, Cameron. Jack is survived by his wife, Merry Chestnut, their two daughters, Kimberly Graper and her husband, Chris, and Laura Chestnut, and their granddaughter, Cameron Graper. Jack also leaves behind his brother, Charlie Barnes and his wife, Joyce, and their children, all of Kansas City, Missouri. He is also survived by his nephews, Nick, Terry, Tommy, and Ned Thompson and their families of Hillsboro, Ohio. Jack was predeceased in death by his parents Oscar and Helen, his two sisters, Carolyn and Marjorie, and his brother, Paul. Walker's Funeral Home in Hillsborough will be assisting with the funeral arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the Chestnut/Graper family by visiting their website at www.walkersfuneralservices.com Jack's family would like to welcome friends for a time of reflections and celebration of life on Saturday, October 14, 2017, at 2:00 pm. The service will be held at Carol Woods Residential Retirement Center, 750 Weaver Dairy Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27514. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to The Adult Day Center in Hillsborough, NC. In honor of Jack Chestnut, tax deductible donations by check can be made out to Senior Care of Orange County or Soltys Adult Day Health Program and can be mailed to the Florence Gray Soltys Adult Day Health Program, P.O. Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, or by calling Swayzene Riggsbee at 919-245-2024