James Huston Chesser Jr., 82, of Bennett, NE and formerly of Ottumwa, passed away at 4:56 p.m. January 28, 2025 at Bryan Medical Center West Campus in Lincoln, NE.He was born January 18, 1943 in Ottumwa to James Huston Chesser Sr. and Claudia Clara Kendall Chesser. He married Kara Lee Glick May 5, 1962 in Chicago, IL with whom he enjoyed 63 happy years with.
Growing up in Ottumwa, Jim then served three years in the U.S. Army. He had worked as a Steam Technician and maintenance supervisor at the Chillicothe Power Plant, and co-owned and operated Midwest Steam Technicians while living in Lake of the Ozarks, MO.
He was a member of Ottumwa Karting Association and Koffman Bend Volunteer Fire Department.
Jim enjoyed many hobbies over the years including woodworking, stained glass work, fishing, boating, go-karting, photography, macrame string art, and most of all, being a Grandpa.
Surviving are his wife, Kara; two children, Jerrald (Kirsten) Chesser of Lincoln, NE and Lisa (Joel) Nielsen of Morgan Hill, CA; six grandsons, Noah, Elijah, Jesse, Jack, Alexander and Logan.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Carl Chesser; two sisters, Barbara Pettit and Beverly Grothe.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Monday, February 3rd at Reece Funeral Home with Bishop Tanner Crossley officiating. Visitation with the family present to greet friends will be one hour prior to the service.
Burial will be in Ottumwa Cemetery with military honors conducted by O.B. Nelson Post #3 American Legion and Walter B. Schafer Post #775 Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Memorials may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation.
