Dennis Chastain

Dennis S. Chastain, 94, of Maumelle, passed away August 9, 2010. Born in Damascus, Arkansas to James Wesley and Nancy Burroughs Chastain, he was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII, serving four years in the South Pacific. He served the Army Corps of Engineers for 42 years at Table Rock and Greers Ferry Dams.
Preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 65 years, Willie Edwards Chastain and infant son, Alvan Dennis, he is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl and Dean Starry of Maumelle; grandson, Michael Dietrich (Heidi) of Fayetteville; great-grandchildren, Kristin, Christopher, Alex and Ian Dietrich; brother, Ernest Chastain of Heber Springs; sister-in-law, Rosemary Edwards Bynum; niece, Wanda Jo Kilburn of Oregon; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Services will be held on Saturday, August 14 at 12:00 noon at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Rd.), officiated by Allan Quallman, followed by interment at Rest Hills Memorial Park in Sherwood. Visitation will be Friday evening from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer's Foundation.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501)224-2200. Mr. Chastain's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.
FAMILY COMMENT
On August 9, 2010 at 12:04, I lost my precious daddy but he has gained 94 almost 95 years on earth with many blessings, very tough times and a work ethic that was formed at a very early age. He served his country in the Pacific for 3 and ½ years and managed to come back to his loving wife. Then I came along. I am proud of his heroic efforts when he and his band of brothers liberated Manilla and a Japanese prisoner of war camp by carrying out the survivors to freedom, food, medical care and their trip home. He wouldn't talk much about those days but he shared the horrors with his wife and mother. He served the US Corps of Engineers for 42 years on Table Rock Dam and Greers Ferry Dam. He loved Native American artifacts and cherished his French/Cherokee heritage. He once wanted to be a history teacher or historian. The Civil War fascinated him too so he was always immersed in a history book of some kind. He gardened until dark and grew the most delicious and enormous vegetables. He had so much pride in his gardens. He was a self-made man and very talented at solving problems on the job. He also had the talents of playing almost any stringed instrument. He was thrilled to have 4 great-grandchildren and spoiled them with sweets and rides on his tractor/mower. His grandson Michael was the "Light of his blue eyes". He taught the 20 month old to read in his lap. They spent hours and hours together reading and writing whatever the little guy wanted to see on paper.
I was getting chemotherapy in a clinic across the street from his hospital. I planned to visit him but it was too late. They let me unhook and go to be with him in his hospital room. My husband was with him as Dad took his last breath. When I entered his room I kissed his face and marveled at how long he had to struggle to carry on in a nursing home without his wife of 65 years. They will be together now and I hope he is reveling in walking again with his wife, baby son, parents, siblings and long lost friends who had gone ahead without him. I love and miss my daddy and mom and they were awesome parents. They never let me down and gave me what I needed and sometimes what I wished for. I was guided into a faith in God and it was nurtured. As an only child I did not watch them work. I joined in and helped. That is what builds in a child good work ethics and a desire to achieve.
Cheryl Chastain Starry