Royal R. Chessmore

Nov. 27, 1917-Feb. 14, 2005

ATWOOD -- Royal Raymond Chessmore, 87, died Monday (Feb. 14, 2005) in Hays, Kan.

He was born Nov. 27, 1917, to Asahel Raymond and Katherine Cecilia (Koski) Chessmore in Ludell. He attended grade school in Ludell and was a graduate of Atwood High School. He attended college at Dodge City Community College and Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan. He left college to run the family farm east of Atwood.

On June 1, 1957, he married Hilda Mariene Brown in McCook. He took an active part in the reconstruction of the Atwood Lake.

He was a member of the Atwood Flying Club in the 1950's, the ROTC and was a local EMT.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Aubrey Chessmore; and grandchildren, Randy Chessmore, Jacqueline Chessmore and Angela and Christopher Paulson.

Survivors include his wife, Hilda of Atwood; step-son, Robert Brown and wife, Katy of Indiana; four sons, Raymond and wife, Vicky of Atwood, Steve Chessmore and wife, Sandra of Atwood, Corky Chessmore and wife, Mary of Atwood and Stan Chessmore and wife, Keri of Atwood; three daughters, Marlene Vrbas and husband, Ron of Colby, Kan., Becky Peck and husband, Calvin of Atwood and Stephanie Pelkey and husband, Mel of Atwood; two sisters, Mary Eileen Laur and husband, Dave of Kansas City, Mo., and Katherine Elaine Keplinger of Denver, Colo.; 17 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian burial is Friday, 10 a.m., at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Atwood with the Rev. Damian Richards officiating. Interment will be in Atwood Fairview Cemetery.

A parish rosary and vigil is today, 6 p.m., at Williams Funeral Home of Atwood.

Memorials may be given in his name and left at the funeral home.

Williams Funeral Home of Atwood is in charge of the arrangements.