Herbert Wayne Chaffin's Obituary
The Lord needed a farmer to help tend his fields and he knew just the right person. Herbert Wayne Chaffin left for his heavenly home on May 15, 2019. He can now be found atop an old tractor happily plowing to his heart’s content.Herb was born August 27, 1938 in the small farming and oil community of Clay City, Illinois to Charles Herbert and Mary Elizabeth Swift Chaffin in the farmhouse on the land that has been in his family for decades.Growing up a farm boy, Herb learned to love and respect the land. While his father traveled frequently with the oil industry, the young boy, with the help of his three siblings, handled the chores as best they could.Following high school, Herb realized he must leave the farm in order to prepare himself for a future not available in Clay City. His first stop was Southern Illinois University, an Associate in Business Degree, and the beginning of his higher education. The next stop was Dallas, Texas in 1958 and an Aunt who helped him transition from country to city life. A smart, personable and ambitious young man, he soon found employment in the oil and gas industry. He continued his education and later earned a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from SMU and a Master of Business Administration from North Texas State University (now UNT).Through an arranged blind date in June 1959. Herb met a young lady and announced at the end of the evening, “I’m going to marry that girl”. On October 19, 1963, he did just that. Herbert and Carmen Rhea Green were united in marriage at Central Christian Church in Dallas. They celebrated 56 years together living first in Irving, Texas and then in McKinney. They were able to travel the world while Carmen was employed by Braniff International Airways. Then she left the workforce after they adopted their two beautiful little girls – Herb’s pride and joy.While still young, Herb enjoyed an active membership with Park Cities Jaycees and fulfilled his military duty with the United States Marine Corps.Herb was recruited to work with a young man named H. Ross Perot at a company he was starting – EDS. Herb stayed for seven years and was able to witness the success of EDS around the world. From EDS, he made the career change that would last 25 years until his retirement in 1999 as Executive Vice President of the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce.Mr. Chaffin served on the Board of the Dallas Visitors and Convention Bureau, was a member of the Advisory Board of the University of North Texas Business School, and the Advisory Board of the “Al Lipscomb Cotton Bowl Classic Football Game” held each year during the Texas State Fair. In 1992, he was honored for his untiring community service and support during a special half-time ceremony at the game.The Dallas metroplex business community, as well as fellow business employees, all know and respected his kind, helpful and knowledgeable way of conducting business.Mr. Chaffin’s great plan for retirement was to enjoy his cattle and farming businesses he had been building in Illinois during his years in Texas.However, former business colleagues just wouldn’t let him retire. First out of retirement – Chief Financial Officer of Integrity Publishing Company.Retirement. Then, Vice President Finance and Administration of Austin Tetra Consolidated Holdings, Inc. until it was purchased by Equifax and he refused their offer to move to headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. At last, final retirement.In 2014, Herbert sold the majority of his farms and all of the cattle business. The farm boy just couldn’t let go of all his farms.Mr. Chaffin was predeceased by his parents, brother Charles Robert Chaffin and niece Cynthia Magnussen.Survivors include his wife; daughters Carren Renee Anderson and husband Alvin (Kyle, TX), Catherine Lee Zamaniego (McKinney, TX); grandson Zachary Zamaniego (McKinney, TX); granddaughter Rachel Anderson (Kyle, TX); sisters Sue Chaffin, June Jones and husband Steven (both of Clay City, IL); brother-in-law Gorman Green, Jr. and wife Donna(McKinney, TX); numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. Also left behind is Herb’s best friend of sixty plus years, Donald Ernst (Irving, TX).Alzheimer’s Disease can take no more from Herb – he is at peace!Visitation will be on Sunday May 19, 2019 from 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Restland Funeral Home. A service will be held on Monday May 20, 2019 at Restlands’ Wildwood Chapel.
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