Steven D. Chester, 84

Lt. Col. U.S. Air Force (retired) Steven D. Chester, 84, died Jan. 10, 2016, in Palm Desert, California.

Born Oct. 7, 1931, in Whigham, Georgia, to Oliver and Mary Chester, Steven graduated from Cairo High School at the age of 16. After two years at Baldwin College, Steven attended and graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in agronomy.

Steven joined the military as an aviation cadet in 1952 serving 20 years and rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel, earning a Master of Air Defense certification, a Meritorious Service Medal, Combat Readiness Medal, two Air Medals as well as two Air Force Commendation Medals and the rarely received Distinguished Flying Cross for his attempt in Vietnam to rescue a fellow pilot who had crashed in the jungle of North Vietnam.   

After his retirement from the Air Force, Steven excelled in his 22-year career as the manager of the Don Rebal Lincoln Mercury Honda dealership in Great Falls.  

After marrying Beverly McNutt in 1997, the couple moved to Palm Desert, where they enjoyed golfing, relaxing and the sunny climate.  

Survivors include his wife, Beverly; his children, Denise Houtz of Kalispell, Victoria and Douglas Stamp of Bremerton, Washington, Mike and Donna Chester of Costa Mesa, California, and Bruce Chester and Enrique Aguilera of Seattle. Other survivors include Dave and Rita McNutt of Kalispell, Billi Grigsby of Texas and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as his siblings William Chester, Frances and George McCluskey and Robert Chester, all of Georgia.    

A celebration of Steven’s life will be held at a later date.