David J Chess

Born on a farm in Picabo, Idaho, the youngest of 15 children, Dave was raised by his siblings and discovered his lasting love for animals. He faithfully attended school reunions in Carey and kept up relationships with fourth grade school buddies. After finishing school he joined the Navy in 1951 where he spent a great deal of time in the Aleutian Islands. He was an engineman, keeping those diesel engines running smoothly, as well as a qualifed Navy driver.

After his discharge from the Navy in 1955 Dave moved to California where he married Nettie and had three children, Diana, David and Debbie, later remarrying and adopting his wife’s son, Denny. He began his trucking career near LAX as a driver delivering freight to businesses. He later founded Air By Chess, a freight forwarding business which he ran successfully for many years. After closing his business he established the Los Angeles division of Direct Air before retiring in 2000, for a total of 45 years in the freight business at LAX.

Dave and Jackie met in 1982 on a trip to Madrid, Spain as guests of TWA. They were married in 1984, and Dave helped raise Jackie’s two teenage girls, Deborah and Lisa. He soon became their Dad who walked each down the aisle for their wedding ceremonies. When Dave retired he and Jackie moved to Paso Robles in 2001, where he loved dancing to live music and following his favorite musicians around town. He also loved playing poker at the Elk’s Club and the Rancho Paso Community.

He will be missed by his loving family:

Wife - Jackie Chess

Daughter - Diana (Don) Azevedo, Boise, Id. Grandchildren: Blayne; Adam; Novia; Colleen; Alexa

Son - David (Pat) Chess of Isleton, CA. Grandson: Michael

Daughter - Debbie Hulse of  Rio Vista, CA. Grandson, Dwight

Stepson - Denny (Katrina) Bates of Nampa, ID, Grandchildren: Anthony, Mitchell, Gregory, Michael, and Desiree

Stepdaughter - Deborah (Mike) Pulskamp of Ione, CA

Stepdaughter - Lisa Friedrich of Minnapolis, MN

There are a total of 16 Great-Grandchildren

Please add your own memories and photos or light a candle to express your own thoughts to the family.