Chester A. McCallum Jr., 1930-2019

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Funeral services for Chester A. McCallum Jr., 89, were Saturday, June 22 at Beaty Funeral Home in Mineola. Interment was at New Hope Cemetery east of Mineola.

Mr. McCallum died June 19, 2019.

He was born March 5, 1930, in Bernice, La., to Chester A. McCallum Sr. and Lorene Gray McCallum. He graduated from Bernice High School in 1948 and married Monelle Bowen in December 1951. They were married until her death in November 1998.

In his early years he worked for Salley Wholesale and Arkla Gas before going to work for Kerr McGee, where he stayed until he retired in 1996. Chester also broke and trained horses for the Wick Lawrence family, as well as for numerous friends. His love for horses resonated and he shared the love with all who had a moment to listen. His special love was his trick horse CoCo, who he trained to do many amazing tricks.

Chester lived in Bernice all of his life, attending Pisgah Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon for many years. Chester was a Shriner and also a 32nd Degree Mason and member of Bernice Lodge No. 239.

In 2001 Chester left Bernice and moved to Mineola, where he married high school classmate, Dora Jean (Johnson) Prince. They were married until her death in June 2014. Chester became a member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Mineola, where he also served as a deacon.

Chester had a love for horses, bird watching and people in general. He loved visits from long-time friend, Mike Fletcher, who grew up down the road from Chester in Bernice and moved to Wood County, where he pastors Spur on Ministries near Quitman. He loved to talk about how two people from Bernice ended up in Mineola.

Chester is preceded in death by his parents, Chester A. McCallum Sr. and Lorene Gray McCallum; sister, Josie Tubbs; former wives, Monelle Bowen McCallum and Jean Prince-McCallum; and son, Randy Prince.

He is survived by his children, Kathy McCallum Spears of Dubach, La.; Art McCallum of Carthage; Honorable Judge Jay McCallum of Farmerville, La; and Thomas Prince of Mineola. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren along with several nieces and nephews.