John F. Chaney, III

John F. Chaney, III, 69, of Skellytown, died December 11, 2015 in Amarillo. Services will be at 2:00 PM Tuesday, December 15, 2015, at First Baptist Church in Pampa, with Rev. Carter Pirtle, pastor of First Baptist Church of Skellytown, officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Pampa, under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Pampa. Mr. Chaney was born April 26, 1946 in Madill, Oklahoma. When he was a child, his family moved to Skellytown. John graduated from White Deer High School in 1965. He enlisted in the U. S. Army on August 10, 1965 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and served in the Vietnam War as a military policeman. He was honorably discharged on August 9, 1968 as SP4 (P). During his tour of duty, John received the following medals: VSM with a Bronze Star, RVNCM with Dev-60, OS Bars (1) RVN, NDSM, Good Conduct Medal, and Marksman (Pistol). John was a life member of Pampa VFW Post #1657, serving as commander from 1997-1999 and quartermaster from 2002 until the present, and was a member of the Freedom Museum board. John married Kathleen Gayle St. Clair on March 15, 1971. They had been residents of Pampa for 28 years before moving to Skellytown in 2001. He served with the Pampa Police Department for one year and then went to work for Halliburton Services. During his 19 years of employment with Halliburton, he held the positions of cementer, special operator and field supervisor. Upon his retirement, John and Kathleen opened Chaney’s Cafe in April of 1993. In May of 2001, he worked at Key Energy Fishing and Rental where he was district manager, and retired from Clifton Supply in April of 2009. John was a life member and past master of Top O’ Texas Masonic Lodge #1381 AF & AM, was past district deputy grandmaster, and was a 33rd degree Mason. He was a member of the Khiva Shrine Temple in Amarillo and was a past president of the Ceremonial Divan. He was a founding member of Pampa’s Celebration of Lights and was elected president in 1999. He was a member and past president of Pampa and Gray County Crime Stoppers. He was a member of Pampa Area Outdoor Art Foundation and the Antique Tractor Association. On July 30, 2007, John was elected as Mayor of the City of Skellytown and was a charter member of Skellytown Senior Citizens since 2010. Survivors include his wife, Kathleen Chaney of the home; two daughters, Denise Joiner and husband Dee, and Jennifer Snapp and husband Tye, all of Pampa; two sons, Paul Chaney and wife Suzanne of Amarillo and Matt Chaney and wife Marjie of San Antonio; a sister, Carolyn Chaney of Pampa; two brothers, Mike Chaney and wife Peggy of Skellytown and Tommy Chaney and wife Rhonda of Fritch; two stepsisters, Wilma Jones and husband Dennis of Nacogdoches, and Kay Sprout and husband Phil of Denton; nine grandchildren, Dusty Joiner, Nichole Carroway and husband Kirk, Tryniti Chaney, Lacie Oxley, Ethan Oxley, Abbigayle Snapp, Hanna Chaney, Emily Slatton and Molly Slatton; and two great grandchildren, Kynlee Carroway, and Gabriela Joiner and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, John Fielding Chaney, Jr; his mother, Mattie Lou Chaney; his stepmother, Edna Chaney; a granddaughter, Danielle Joiner; and a stepbrother, Jack Dunivin. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to VFW Post #1657, PO Box 2684, Pampa, Texas 79066-2684.