Ronald Chidester, 87, died peacefully in his home Thursday, June 25, 2020 with two of his sons laughing, telling stories, and enjoying a steak dinner.

Ronald (Ron) was born on March 28, 1933 in the borough of Confluence, Pennsylvania. He and his wife, the gorgeous and incredible late Betty Jean Chidester, lived in Jacksonville, Arkansas for 50 years. Their house was actually one of the first houses built in the Stonewall community. It was just streets and dirt.

Master Sergeant, Ronald C. Chidester served in the United States Air Force for 20 years. He was incredibly patriotic and loved America and Arkansas with all his being! M/Sgt. Chidester is a veteran of the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He served as an airplane mechanic, Air Force recruiter, and did a two year tour of duty in the Philippine Islands.

Ron had a deep passion for general aviation and managed Perry Airport (on the outskirts of Jacksonville, AR) for approximately 25 years.  He enjoyed spending his time at "the strip" with the "hanger rats", including his late brother-in-law, Jack Mitchell. There was always some kind of aircraft maintenance activity or project going on in his hanger.  He owned several aircraft over the years and enjoyed working on them as much as he did fly them.

Ron was an FAA appointed "Designated Maintenance Examiner" (DME) for many years, and responsible for giving oral and practical examinations to aircraft mechanics who were aspiring to get their FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) rating.  Many professional A&P mechanics in the central Arkansas area were tested and awarded their A&P rating by Ron.

Ron loved and cherished his family deeply, and especially loved spending time with them boating/trolling on Greers Ferry Lake.

At his core, Ron was a true tinkerer, and was very good at it. He loved anything with an engine that could travel on land, water, or air. Tools, parts, and gizmos came second nature to him.

Finally, the best way to describe Ron is proud, generous, funny, handsome, and he was especially loving. He would give a friend or a stranger his last dollar.

Ronald Chidester is survived by his four children, Jeannie Leary, Chuck Chidester & wife Mickey, Kenny Chidester & wife Bev, and Danny Chidester; grandchildren Steven Otis, Christina Dowden, J.D. Toney, Ryan Leary, Chad Chidester, Katherine Toney, Craig Chidester, Jon Chidester; great-grandchildren Anna Dowden, Leo Toney, Brandon (Bubba) Leary.

Ron's wishes to be cremated. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in honor of Master Sgt. Ronald C. Chidester to the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) — www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

Arrangements by Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home, 501-982-2136.