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Dr. Jasper Holt “Jack” Chesson, age 86, formerly of Bath, passed away Sunday, July 23, 2023, at ECU Health Inpatient Hospice in Greenville.

A memorial service will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, August 5, 2023, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Bath.

Dr. Chesson was born June 3, 1937, in High Point, N.C. to Ruby Tysinger Chesson and Floyd Wright Chesson. He attended public schools in High Point until 1951 when the family moved to Jamestown, North Carolina where he attended Jamestown High School and graduated as President of his senior class. Dr Chesson received tutorial scholarship offers from the University of North Carolina and Duke University. He chose to attend the University of North Carolina where he received his BS in Dentistry. After undergraduate school, he was accepted in the University of North Carolina Dental School and graduated with honors being accepted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honor Society. He was also a member of the Delta Sigma Delta Dental Fraternity.

Dr. Chesson married Sylvia Simpson while in dental school and subsequently had three children: Jasper Holt Chesson, Jr., Jonathan Wright Chesson and Wendy Leigh Chesson. While in dental school, he enrolled in the United States Navy reserve and after dental school began active duty in the U.S. Navy Dental Corps stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He was accepted into the University of North Carolina Dental School of Orthodontic Specialty Program and received a Master of Science degree in Orthodontics in 1967. Upon the completion of the specialty program, he began his professional career in Rocky Mount, North Carolina where he practiced for 25 years. In 1981, he married Julia Ann Blevins. Having a love of boating and being near the water, he initiated an orthodontics practice in Washington, North Carolina where he practiced for 21 years and resided on the water in Bath. During his professional career, he was president of the North Carolina Association of Orthodontists and the North Carolina Orthodontic Alumni Association and was a member of the Monte Miska and Orthovista Dental study clubs.

In the early 70’s, Dr. Chesson, with the assistance of Dr. James Crawford of the University of North Carolina Dental School, designed and developed a heat sterilization system for Orthodontic instruments and supplies which provided a much safer environment for Orthodontic patients. This was presented at an annual meeting of the University of North Carolina Orthodontic Alumni and soon became in widespread use.

Dr. Chesson served many years on the Salvation Army board in Rocky Mount and Washington. He was a member of the Rocky Mount Noon Rotary Club as well as the Washington Noon Rotary Club and served as President of the Washington Club and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He also served a term as President of the Washington Chamber of Commerce. His love of boating prompted him to become a Coast Guard licensed Captain. He was a member of the Pamlico Sailing Club and served as Commodore. He and his family participated and enjoyed sailing boat racing. Dr. Chesson was a member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Bath, North Carolina.

Dr. Chesson is survived by his wife, Julia Chesson of the home; son, Jon Chesson and wife, Janet of Wilson; daughter, Wendy Barahoma and husband, Eduardo of Orem, Utah; grandchildren, Sam and Annabell Barahoma and niece, Susan Wilkins.

Online condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington is honored to serve the Chesson family.