Leamon Chaffin's Obituary
Leamon Earl Chaffin, son of Mitchell L. and Wanda Nell Dy er Chaffin, was born November 2, 1953, in Cookeville, Tennessee. He departed this life Saturday, October 4, 2008, in St. John’s Hospital, in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of fifty-four years, eleven months, and two days. On November 3, 1973, he was united in marriage to Karen Jenell Williams, and to this union one son was born. He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepmother, Melba Pauline Hopkins Chaffin; a brother, Eddie Lee Jones; and a great-niece, Alexis Marie Chaffin. Earl is survived by his loving wife of almost thirty-five years, Karen, of the home; his son, Duane Chaffin, and his wife, Paula, of Lebanon, Missouri; a grandson, Carter Chaffin, of Lebanon, Missouri; four brothers, Larry Chaffin, and his wife, Carla, and Willie Chaffin, and his wife, Lori, all of Lebanon, Missouri, Paul Jones, and his wife, Shirley, of Jefferson City, Missouri, and Steve Jones, and his wife, Bonita, of Phillipsburg, Missouri; three sisters, Joanne Gillis, and Chris McClanahan, and her husband, Tom, all of Conway, Missouri, and Lainey Bumgardner, and her husband, Pat, of Lebanon, Missouri; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends. He was raised by his grandparents in Tennessee, following the passing of his mother. In 1962, he moved to Phillipsburg, Missouri, to live with his father, and graduated from Conway High School in the Class of 1972. After he and Karen were married, they made their home in the Phillipsburg community, and lovingly began raising their son. For several years, Earl worked for Mac-o-Mo Casket Company in Marshfield, Missouri. In 1979, he began working for Lowe Boats in Lebanon, and eventually became a manufacturing supervisor in a career that spanned twenty-nine years. During this time the family moved to the Lebanon area and made their home. Earl made his profession of faith in Christ early in his life and was a faithful member of the Lebanon Church of the Nazarene for a number of years. Throughout the years, Earl had a side business of trading, buying, selling, and repairing knives. He was a familiar face at many major trade shows and flea markets and had an extensive collection of knives, especially of his favorite brand, Case Knives. He also enjoyed restoring and painting old cars and always had one to work on in his spare time. He possessed a delightful sense of humor, enjoyed teasing and pestering his family and friends, and was also great at playing practical jokes. He was respected as a good boss and mentor, and was well liked by all that worked with him. Although he faced many illnesses in his fifty-four years, Earl always fought with tremendous courage, trusted in God to see him through, and never complained. His family was very important to him and he especially enjoyed his grandson. Earl was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments and know that his family and friends will treasure the wonderful memories he made for them. Services will be held at 2:00 pm Tuesday October 7, 2008 at the Church of the Nazarene. Burial will be in Mt. Rose Memorial Park. Visitation is Monday evening 7-8:30 pm at the funeral home under the direction of the Holman- Howe Funeral Home Lebanon, Missouri. Return to top
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