Chester Lawrence Lockhart

On Thursday, May 10, 2018 Chester Lawrence Lockhart was welcomed home to the loving arms of God. He passed away at the young age of 65 in his home in Springdale, Washington County, Arkansas at 3:19 pm. He was fearless facing a second battle with cancer but God decided one hard fight was enough.

Chester was born on March 6, 1953 to Kenneth “K.L.” Lockhart of Waynoka, Oklahoma and Juanita Mae (Phillips) Lockhart of Prairie Grove, Arkansas. He was a 1971 graduate of West Fork High School in West Fork, Arkansas. Throughout his lifetime he never steered far from home continuing to live in the area.

Chester was a light-hearted, carefree soul who never met a stranger. His heart never saw the bad in anyone and his bright eyes and permanent smile immediately won the hearts of those around him. He had the silliest way with words and phrases that had no real meaning but made him more special like ‘well flitters’, ‘you ain’t a woofin’, ‘piddle-dink’ and ‘dad-burn-it’. His true innocence was joyful to be around.  He enjoyed tinkering with small engines, going to auctions, fishing, country music, hot summer days and giving really tight hugs.

He was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Shonda, and both of his parents, K.L. and Juanita. He is survived by his three adult children of whom he never called by their given names, Jack Marler (Jackson) and his wife Tinker of Dutch Mills, Arkansas; Jill Franks (Willie) of Springdale, Arkansas; and Janet Hays (Anet) and her husband Kendall of West Fork, Arkansas. He was also survived by nine beautiful grandchildren, Victoria, Taylor, Eber, Grace, Kaylea, Shyla, Ronnie Dayle, Olivia and Tate; and has five surviving siblings, Roger Lockhart of Van Buren, Arkansas, Carl Lockhart and Charlie Lockhart both of Hogeye, Arkansas, Carol Hulse and Keneita Spencer both of Prairie Grove, Arkansas and his special dog companion, Charlie, who meant the world to him.

With respect to his wishes there will be no funeral service. He will rest near his parents at McDonald Cemetery, 12498 County Road 281, West Fork, Arkansas.

His family would like to extend their most sincere gratitude to Dr. Thaddeus Beck and his team at Highlands Oncology Group who persevered fighting a battle they didn’t expect to win but accepted the challenge knowing that Chester’s fearless and courageous heart couldn’t back down from. They celebrated victory many times together.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Angels Among Us at Highlands Oncology in Fayetteville, Arkansas in his honor.