BEAUMONT, Texas — Family and friends of a former Jefferson County judge are mourning his death Friday morning.
Ray Chesson, who spent 24 years as the Precinct Four Justice of the Peace, died Thursday night after a battle with cancer according to a Facebook post by his son Justin Chesson. He was 66.
Chesson retired from his post in the spring of 2021. He told the Beaumont Enterprise in March 2021 that he had been diagnosed with cancer several months before and was retiring to concentrate on his health.
He also told The Enterprise that he was stepping down so that a new judge could be appointed as he did not want the justice of the peace office to suffer.
His term was set to end at the end of 2022.
“He was a firefighter with Hamshire Fannett, an EMT,” Justice of The Peace Ben Collins said. “He was a judge, Justice Of The Peace, but above all, he was a good friend.
Collins fondly remembers the man whose smile he said lit up the darkest rooms, with a heart as pure as gold.
“I just hope that I can live up to be a quarter of the man he was,” Justin Chesson said.
Ray Chesson's son, Justin Chesson, said his father held the same morals and values both on and off the bench.
“Your honor and integrity are as much as your word. He was big on that. If he told you something, he stood by it,” Justin Chesson said.
As a reward, he was honored with a court building that now bears his name in Fannett. Just this week Lifeshare Blood Center held a drive in Ray Chesson's name. So many people showed up, they had to bring in two buses. It’s something Justin Chesson said is a testament to his father's legacy.
“People are giving in his name so that others can live. That's how he was,” Justin Chesson said.
Collins said now, his friend can rest well knowing that his assignment on earth is now complete.
“Let's turn out for Ray with your robes, your gavels, and lets be sure to give him a final ‘All Rise,’” Collins said.
"As many of you know, he was battling cancer, and if you knew my Dad - he always fought hard, but always on his terms. My mother, my brother and I, along with our families appreciate your continued prayers," the younger Chesson wrote on Facebook when announcing his father's death.
Justin Chesson is campaigning to take over his father's seat on the JP bench. Beaumont attorney Travis McCall was appointed by Jefferson County commissioners to fulfill Chesson's term.
A gathering for Chesson’s family and friends will be from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., Wednesday, October 20, at First Baptist Church, located at 25304 Hwy 124 in Hamshire. His funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, October 21, at First Baptist Church, with his interment to follow at Fairview Cemetery, in Winnie.
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This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.