by Jonathan Chaffin and Siblings
Synopsis: Solomon said, "A good name is better than a good ointment, and the day of one's death is better than the day of one's birth" (Eccl. 7:1). Jonathan Chaffin and his siblings honor their father on both counts: brother Ron Chaffin had a good name and lived a good life.
Ronald David Chaffin, also known as Husband, Dad, Grandpa, and Great-Grandpa, received a call he could not refuse on Sunday, March 18, 2018, at the young age of 77.
Dad was born in Detroit, MI on June 7, 1940, to Vestal and Willie Chaffin. When he was sixteen, the family landed in Charleston where he found himself playing basketball and belting out tunes on the trombone in the marching band at Stonewall Jackson High School. After graduating from high school, he continued his short basketball career at Florida College in Temple Terrace, FL. After college graduation, he returned to Charleston, and married Rosemarie Fouts in 1960.
For our entire lives, Dad served as a minister with the Church of Christ. We moved around quite a bit, including living several years in South Africa, as Dad spread the Good News. He also had a tenure with the U. S. Post Office, retiring as the Nitro Postmaster.
Dad enjoyed woodworking, sleeping through Sunday afternoon football, a nightly snack of popcorn, sightseeing, and hunting. Most of us appreciated his hunting skills as they never resulted in him bringing home a deer!
Family was important to Dad. Before his first wife and our mom, Rosemarie, passed away, she was the ringleader of family get-togethers. Dad was sure to be at these family events, usually making home-made ice cream.
Jonathan, son of Ronald Chaffin, and faithful evangelist of the Lord Jesus adds the following:
The uncertainty of riches is like the uncertainty of life. Like his father (Vestal Chaffin) before him, my father spent the majority of his life preaching the gospel. The number of faithful Christians who were converted from this teaching reaches beyond the borders of this country. He inspired young and old men alike to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Staying true to God's Word was Dad's goal in this life. He dedicated his life to helping others see the blessings of living a faithful life to God. I would often go to him for advice on various things. He would always have a biblical answer to whatever it was showing me that he truly believed that God had the answer. He taught me that there was no situation or circumstance in life for which God does not have the answer. "Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence" (2 Pet. 1:3).
Upon hearing of his stroke, I received many, many messages from South Africa offering prayers on his behalf. Many of those were from men who Dad had taught the gospel who have continued preaching in their countries. He lived by the words that the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, "The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (2 Tim. 2:2). Dad did this with all diligence and desired that others make the same commitment.
On March 18, 2018, Dad finished his race in this life always encouraging others to run their race with patience (Heb. 12:1). Although we love him and will miss him as we continue our journey in this world, he left a lasting impression on many lives. I am confident in his reward and look forward to the day when I can be with him as we are among the host surrounding the throne of God.
