Obituary for Chester Canada
Chester Eugene Canada, 83, was born in Delta, Kentucky on August 6, 1939, to Hurstle and Bessie Kidd Canada. He left this earth to meet his Heavenly Father on October 9, 2022, after a brief stay at BSA Hospice of the Southwest in Amarillo, Texas.
Memorial services will be 2:00 P.M. Thursday, October 13, 2022 at Brooks Chapel with Corky Holland officiating. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 12 from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at Brooks Chapel.
He is survived by the love of his life and his wife of over 65 years, Elizabeth “Betty” Ann Canada of Canyon, Texas; two sons, Larry Lynn Canada and wife, Leslie Michelle Canada of Canyon, Texas and Paul Eugene Canada and wife, Claudia Andrea Canada of Wesley Chapel, Florida; one grandson, Brandon Owen Canada of Knoxville, Tennessee; and a great-granddaughter, Emma Cofer of Knoxville, Tennessee.
He is preceded in death by his father, Hurstle Canada, his mother, Bessie Kidd Canada and a brother, Edward Lee Canada.
Chester was a member of First Baptist Church of Amarillo and a previous member of the Indiana National Guard. He graduated high school from Brownstown Consolidated Schools in 1957. He earned his bachelor’s degree in 1964 and master’s degree in 1965 from the University of Louisville, Kentucky. He later went on to graduate with his Doctorate degree in 1968 from the University of Arkansas. Following graduation Chester worked at Mason and Hanger Pantex from 1968 thru 1981 and taught Engineering at Oklahoma State University from 1981 thru 1985. He worked for the Department of Defense / Department of the Army Explosives Safety Board until 2000.
Upon his retirement from the Department of Defense / Department of the Army Explosives Safety Board, Dr. Chester Canada was presented the Superior Civilian Service Award, “recognized as a World Expert in the field of explosive safety, and for his significant contributions to the improved readiness and efficiency of the Military Department, the private sector, and our Allies. Dr. Canada’s perseverance, dedication, professional competence, and invaluable improvements were effective in the explosive’s safety posture worldwide.” These far-reaching contributions greatly benefitted the effectiveness of the Department of Defense, enhancing international cooperation, and the upgrading of ammunition and explosives safety criteria worldwide. During his career at Pantex and following his retirement, he taught Physics at West Texas A&M University.
Chester was a faithful servant of the Lord. His commitment began at a young age. He won first place in the Indiana State Bible Drill Contest early in his life while he attended junior high school.
Chester’s favorite Bible verse comes from Micah Chapter 6, Verse 8 “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Application Study Bible) Chester was a perfect example of what it means to walk humbly, and he walked daily with the Lord and showed others love and compassion. He was a wonderful example of living the Christian life daily and loved sharing the love he had for the Lord with others every opportunity he had. He will be greatly missed by his family and countless friends and colleagues.
Memorial services will be 2:00 P.M. Thursday, October 13, 2022 at Brooks Chapel with Corky Holland officiating. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 12 from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at Brooks Chapel.
He is survived by the love of his life and his wife of over 65 years, Elizabeth “Betty” Ann Canada of Canyon, Texas; two sons, Larry Lynn Canada and wife, Leslie Michelle Canada of Canyon, Texas and Paul Eugene Canada and wife, Claudia Andrea Canada of Wesley Chapel, Florida; one grandson, Brandon Owen Canada of Knoxville, Tennessee; and a great-granddaughter, Emma Cofer of Knoxville, Tennessee.
He is preceded in death by his father, Hurstle Canada, his mother, Bessie Kidd Canada and a brother, Edward Lee Canada.
Chester was a member of First Baptist Church of Amarillo and a previous member of the Indiana National Guard. He graduated high school from Brownstown Consolidated Schools in 1957. He earned his bachelor’s degree in 1964 and master’s degree in 1965 from the University of Louisville, Kentucky. He later went on to graduate with his Doctorate degree in 1968 from the University of Arkansas. Following graduation Chester worked at Mason and Hanger Pantex from 1968 thru 1981 and taught Engineering at Oklahoma State University from 1981 thru 1985. He worked for the Department of Defense / Department of the Army Explosives Safety Board until 2000.
Upon his retirement from the Department of Defense / Department of the Army Explosives Safety Board, Dr. Chester Canada was presented the Superior Civilian Service Award, “recognized as a World Expert in the field of explosive safety, and for his significant contributions to the improved readiness and efficiency of the Military Department, the private sector, and our Allies. Dr. Canada’s perseverance, dedication, professional competence, and invaluable improvements were effective in the explosive’s safety posture worldwide.” These far-reaching contributions greatly benefitted the effectiveness of the Department of Defense, enhancing international cooperation, and the upgrading of ammunition and explosives safety criteria worldwide. During his career at Pantex and following his retirement, he taught Physics at West Texas A&M University.
Chester was a faithful servant of the Lord. His commitment began at a young age. He won first place in the Indiana State Bible Drill Contest early in his life while he attended junior high school.
Chester’s favorite Bible verse comes from Micah Chapter 6, Verse 8 “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Application Study Bible) Chester was a perfect example of what it means to walk humbly, and he walked daily with the Lord and showed others love and compassion. He was a wonderful example of living the Christian life daily and loved sharing the love he had for the Lord with others every opportunity he had. He will be greatly missed by his family and countless friends and colleagues.