Chester Hastings

Chester Ray Hastings, age 84, of Waco passed away on Monday February 18, 2013 at a local hospital. Funeral Services will be 10:30 AM Thursday, February 21, 2013 at Crestview Church of Christ. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 PM Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at Grace Gardens Funeral Home Chapel.

Chester was born on October 29, 1928 across the street from the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas to Albert Chester and Flora Belle Hastings.

He graduated from Stockdale Texas High School in 1945 and received a BS in history from Southwest Texas State University in 1949; a MS in educational administration-history from Southwest Texas State University in 1955; and, a Ph.D. from the University of Texas with a emphasis in community college education and student services administration in 1964; plus 15 hours of graduate work at Abilene Christian University. Professional certification in Texas included counselor, teacher for grades 1-12, principal, and superintendent.

At age 19, Chester began teaching at Harlandale High School in San Antonio. He also taught at Brackenridge High School and Alamo Heights Junior High in San Antonio and in the U.S. Department of Defense Schools in Stuttgart, Germany and Tokyo, Japan from 1955-58.

Chester served as an officer in the United States Army during the Korean War and received the Bonze Star for Meritorious Service

He became the first Dean of Students at Del Mar College in 1960’s and first Dean at McLennan Community College in 1966. He then served in several vice-president positions at MCC, retiring as Senior Vice-President in 1988. The very next day following his retirement from MCC, Chester became a Professor of Educational Administration at Baylor University and retired in May 2001. While at Baylor he helped develop a doctorate in Higher Education Administration and also served as Director of a Student Services graduate instructional program.

Chester served as President, Phi Delta Kappa Baylor Chapter, 1990-91; President, Northwest Rotary Club, 1977-78; Member Greater Waco Safety Council, Waco Schools Taskforce on Excellence, Action Planning Council, Private Industry Council and Community Services Advisory Committee of HOTCOG; Board of Trustees, Art Center; Board of Directors, Waco Lighthouse for the Blind; Chairman, Steering Committee for Drug Abuse Education, McLennan County; Charter Member Eastside Rotary Club; Deacon, Crestview Church of Christ; and, worked as a volunteer, Providence Hospital. He was a member of the Crestview Church of Christ.

Chester was an avid gardener, sharing fruits and vegetables with friends and neighbors. He had a love for traveling with his family. He sang with a barbershop quartet in San Antonio in his earlier years and enjoyed singing accapella music.

He was preceded in death by his parents Albert Chester Hastings and Flora Belle Ballard Hastings, his in-laws Edgar Glain Davidson and Evie Glenna Kendrick Davidson, his brother Ronald Wayne Hastings and brother-in-law E. G. Davidson.

Chester is survived by his wife of 52 years, Elva Jean Davidson Hastings; children Terri Lynn Hastings, Stephen Lane Hastings and wife Kimberly Suzanne Hastings and Allison Anne Hastings; step-grandchildren Brittnie Adale Roberson and her husband Daniel Roberson and child Harlie Mae, Spencer Cole Sims, and Collin Grant Andrews; sister Betty Jean Oliver and her husband Billy Joe Oliver; sister-in-law Margaret Treviño Hastings; sister-in-law Betty Ruth Nelson and her husband John Emmitt Nelson; sister-in-law Gearline Jeffrey Davidson; and, numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be nephews Joe Oliver, Jamie Oliver, Jack Oliver, Jeffrey Oliver, Allen Hastings, David Hastings and Eric Hastings.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels, Crestview Church of Christ Community Food Pantry, McLennan Community College Foundation, or Baylor University School of Education.