James Chester Boaz

James Chester Boaz, age 100, passed away on April 3, 2026 in Goodland, Kansas.

He was born July 8, 1925, in Pineland, Texas, to Jessie Calvin and Francis Leavador Seago Boaz.

Chester grew up on his family’s 22-acre farm in Pineland, one of eight children—four boys and four girls. His oldest brother, Willie died as a child. Chester is survived by his youngest brother, Elick. From an early age farm life shaped him; his hours after school were spent hoeing grass out of the cotton, corn, sugar cane, watermelons, peanuts, sorghum, and pinto beans before feeding livestock and chopping wood for the stove.

Math was Chester’s favorite subject in school, a skill that came in handy in his 90’s as the scorekeeper for the twice-weekly Mexican Train domino group he so enjoyed being a part of at Handy Towers. He served his country proudly in the U.S. Navy, enlisting at the age of 18, in 1943. He never saw combat but played a vital role on the ground, warming up the planes every morning for the pilots. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and joined the Merchant Marines, working on an oil tanker and visiting England and France. Chester was, until his death, the oldest surviving WWII veteran in his county. Many times when he’d wear his WWII cap to breakfast or dinner someone would see it, stop by his table to visit for a bit and then pay for his meal without telling him they’d done so. All four of Chester’s sons followed his footsteps and served in the Navy.

After his military service, Chester began his career with the U.S. Postal Service as a mail carrier, earning a starting pay of $1.35 an hour where he worked faithfully until his retirement in his mid-fifties. Retirement brought time for a new passion - golf - which he began playing at age 50. Chester moved to Goodland in 1990 where he played at Sugar Hills Golf Club into his late 90s, often multiple times a week. He was a dedicated and competitive player - he played 75 holes of golf on his 75th birthday and even killed a rattlesnake with one of his clubs when it crawled into a golf hole. He played golf frequently with his son-in-law, Denny Finley; sons Dwain and Derrell and son-in-law Rob Reid joined him for annual tournaments as well. The shared goal to beat Chester at a round of golf was never achieved by any of them. He and his good friend, Ken Yoke - who designed the course - quit playing when they could still hit the ball a distance to be admired, but couldn’t see where it’d landed. It was time to put the clubs away.

Chester married Judith McMillan in 1948, and together they raised six children. He is preceded in death by his sons Gary and Jerry, and is survived by sons Dwain and Derrell, daughters Barb and Bev, and step-daughters Sharon Finley and Cissy David. Chester also leaves behind more grandchildren and great-grandchildren than he could ever count, all of whom he loved dearly. Chester and Judith divorced in 1973, and he later married Mary Meeks in 1990. They shared 12 years together before her passing away in Goodland IN 2002. Later in life, Chester and Judith remarried briefly before divorcing again; they remained lifelong friends until Judith passed away in 2017. Chester will be buried between Judith and Mary in the Goodland Cemetery.

Chester was proudest of the fact that all six of his children graduated from high school, a milestone he had not achieved himself. He had a passion for gardening, often growing beautiful yards and fruit trees on his properties—and even planting fruit trees at the Goodland golf course for hungry golfers to enjoy. He was also an avid cook, known for his famous snickerdoodle cookies and especially his homemade strawberry-rhubarb jam. Chester canned hundreds of pints over the years and delighted in giving them away to friends and neighbors. The last batch of jam was canned after celebrating his 100th birthday.

Chester and Mary attended Goodland Bible Church until her death. He stopped attending when his challenge to hear made it difficult to attend services. He was a long-term contributor to several different Christian charities, most of which benefited children at risk.

Family and friends gathered in Goodland in July, 2025 to celebrate Chester’s 100th birthday, a day that brought together his four surviving children, many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and his brother Elick. Chester drove his own truck until just after his 100th birthday. He frequently joked, when asked, that he never planned to live so long and wasn’t sure he’d recommend it, given the many aches and pains that came with it. He credited his long life to years of taking vitamins and never having smoked a cigarette.

Chester’s legacy of hard work, faithfulness, generosity, and humor will be cherished by all who knew him.

Joint funeral services will be held at a later time this summer for Chester and for Judith as well, as the family was not able to do so previously. Burial will take place at Goodland Cemetery this spring.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Turning Point Ministries or to the Goodland Bible Church - both of which Chester supported in his lifetime and may be sent to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.