John "Coach" Chism
Died: 12/8/2022
Description:
John William “Coach” Chism, 92, died the evening of Thursday, December 8, 2022 in his daughter’s home in Dallas, Texas. He was born on May 14, 1930 in Danville, Arkansas.
John was a long time resident of Hallsville, Texas where he coached football and was a teacher for both the Hallsville and Longview School Districts. He coached sports for over 39 years and retired from coaching football in 1994.
Growing up in Danville, Arkansas, John attended college at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Arkansas on a football scholarship where he was a starting offensive lineman. After receiving a Bachelor’s Degree, John joined the United States Marine Corps in 1952 and proudly served as Sergeant and Aviation Electrician during the Korean War. While serving for the Marine Corps, John played football for the U.S. Marine Corps Football team in Barstow, California from 1952 - 1953.
John went on to earn a Master’s degree from Stephen F. Austin University. While attending, met his wife, Nola Ann (Horn) Chism in 1967. The two fell in love immediately, married that same year, and lived happily together for over 33 years before her passing in 2000 due to a lengthy illness. Nola Ann was the love of John’s life and they are now reunited together again in heaven with the presence of the Lord.
John was a member of the Marine Corps League of Longview and LaGrone Chapel United Methodist Church in Longview, Texas. He will be remembered by his family as a devoted husband and father who loved the Lord, friends, colleagues, students, athletes, and country.
He is survived by his daughter, Julieann Chism of Dallas, Texas; two sons, Jesse Chism of Grand Prairie, Texas; Robert McCoy of Shreveport, Louisiana; and sister, Rose Stevenson of Beloit, Wisconson; four grandchildren, Kelly Hargrove of Shreveport, Louisiana; Holly McCoy of Durango, Colorado; Casey Tucker of Spring, Texas; and Taylor Tucker of Spring, Texas; and three great grandchildren, Nola; Holly; and Ruby Hargrove.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Nola Ann Chism; daughter, Sherry Dawn Tucker; mother and father, Jessie and Laura Chism; and many siblings to include, William Lee Chism; Lallie Mae Francis; Annie Lee Holt; Jessie Richard Chism; Grace Ezell Rollins; Odell Lewis Chism; Tommie Lee Chism; Ray Dean Chism; Bobbie Jean Chism.
A Life Celebration funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2022 at 12 Noon at LaGrone's Chapel United Methodist Church with Pastor Reginald Long officiating. LaGrone Chapel is located on the corner of FM 2208 and Noonday Road West, Longview, Texas. Burial will follow in the LaGrone's Chapel Cemetery with military honors provided by the United States Marine Corps and the Longview Marine Corps League.
Memorial donations may be made to the USMC Memorial Foundation at: USMC Memorial Foundation P.O. Box 441126 Aurora, CO 80014 or www.usmcmemorialfoundation.org .
Comments
| User | Message | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Eubank | Coach, The first time I met him was at a Marine Corps League meeting he greeted me with a smile and a warm brotherly handshake, at that time I knew he was a genuine brother from a different mother a Marines Marine. Someday I hope I will have the honor of standing next to him at the right hand of our supreme commandant. | 12/11/2022 5:33 PM | |
| Eric Serdahl | When I was 7 years old we were all over at Grandma Horn's house. There was a bunch of us nephews running around the backyard and making too much noise. There was big dieing tree out there and the grownups thought it was dangerous I guess. Anyway my Dad the preacher and my other Uncle Bill the doctor were discussing how to get it down. While they were figuring and brainstorm ideas, my Big Uncle Bill Chism took a couple chops with an axe then just pushed the thing down. My brother's and cousins and I were amazed and have always thought Uncle Bill had super powers... and I still believe that. | 12/12/2022 12:05 PM | |
| James A. Jones | I knew a retired coach/principal years ago when I rode with the Gregg County Mounted unit. He related when he first met John. He opened up the field house door at Longview High School and a big football player slid out on his back. He had smarted off to Coach Chism and John punched him out. In those days coaches could do that and straighten kids out. Coach Chism was a man's man! | 12/15/2022 9:53 AM | |
| Henry C. Botter | My son, Jake, was blessed to have been coached by Coach Chism at Hallsville. He said Coach Chism was his favorite teacher in school. He was tough and demanding. I liked him. RIP | 12/17/2022 9:22 AM | |
| Chris Shrader | I met in 7th grade. He slowly strutted out on field with hands on his yelled out, "AT EASE, DISEASE!!! THERE'S A FUNGUS AMONG US!!" This guy was no joke. Old Testament. He would light your butt up with a board for every failing grade you brought him. He even taught us how a champion stands (with your hands on your hips, feet shoulder width apart, head up). He used to call me Gallagher. I never knew why (my name was Shrader). He was tough as nails, but I loved him. He was a good coach, and a good role model. Thank you Coach. You made difference | 10/8/2023 7:47 PM |