J.C. Chalfant

A man who’s smile will not be forgotten; Mr. J.C. Chalfant passed away quietly in his home in Beaverton, Oregon on the 22nd of October at 10:12pm 2016 at the generous age of 97. Jay, as he was known, was born on November 13th 1918 to Harry and Blanche Page Chalfant on his parents farm in Wells County, Indiana where he enjoyed a wonderful childhood working on the farm with his older brother, Senior Chalfant and his older sister, Viva. They moved to Bluffton in the 1930’s during the great depression where Harry got a job delivering milk and later working as a police officer. With a powerful tenor voice, Blanche encouraged Jay to sing classical and popular music which he came to love for all of his life. He became a member of the Blufftonaires vocal quartet who performed regularly on live radio in Indiana. Jay moved to San Diego California but returned to Indiana at the outbreak of WWII. Jay enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps and served in the Pacific theater with the 48th Bomber Squadron, 41st Bomber Group as a T Sgt. radio operator and gunner until he was demobilized and Honorably Discharged from service Dec. 5th 1945. Upon returning to civilian life, Jay became one of the HeidTones Sextette and toured with The Horace Heidt Big Band all over the United States. He eventually found himself back in Indiana where he married Patricia Bickers and moved to California in 1963. He worked in the manufacturing of circuit boards in Los Angeles where he retired from DVH Corporation in 1993. He continued to live in Los Angeles with Patricia until they moved up to Beaverton, Oregon to live with their daughter, Aimee and her fiancee in 2009 where he recently passed away on Oct. 22nd 2016. Jay belonged to the American Legion Post 0104 and enjoyed watching his daughter and her fiancee perform music in Opera, musical theater, and jazz in Portland Oregon. Jay was an avid jazz and big band fan where his smile could be seen while he enjoyed the music. Always with a tune on his lips and rhythm in his heart, a man of gentle temperament and kind generosity, his love of life and music would bring a smile that will not be forgotten. A Graveside Service will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday (October 30, 2016) at Six Mile Cemetery in Bluffton. Pastor Steve Bard will officiate. Military honors will be given by the United States Army Honor Guard and the American Legion Post #111 of Bluffton. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton. Friends can send online condolences to the family at www.thomarich.com.

J.C. Chalfant

November 13, 1918 - October 22, 2016