John Lester Chaney, Jr.

John Lester Chaney, Jr., 92, of Tomball, Texas formerly of Frederick passed away on April 7, 2019 at his home. He was the husband of the late Joan T. Chaney who preceded him in death in 2014. He was born in 1926 in Washington, D.C. to the late Gertrude and John Lester Chaney, Sr.  His younger brother, James “Jim” Chaney, M.D., whom he loved dearly, pre-deceased him.

John practiced law at the former Interstate Commerce Commission for decades after earning an LL.B. degree from George Washington University Law School. He was an excellent and caring provider for his family, always willingly supporting them. He had a great appreciation for history.  He enjoyed playing golf for many years and watching sports his entire life.  His favorite sport was baseball and his biggest hero was Ted Williams—the great player had taken a moment to smile at two teenagers after a game in D.C.—John and Jim.  The brothers attended St. Anthony Grade School (now St. Anthony Catholic School) where their Roman Catholic faith was cemented and where they became life-long friends with Dennis Donellan, who passed recently.

John began drawing as a child and became an accomplished artist working mostly with pencils and charcoal.  After graduating from high school he spent a year in the Merchant Marines towards the end of World War II.  He was proud that his father served for many years as a firefighter in D.C. He served as president of the GWU alumni association for many years.  You will find a plaque honoring his service on one of the quad gates.  Prior to attending law school at night, he served as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy during the Korean conflict and after returning home served in the Reserve for several years.

John and Joan met in D.C. on a blind date and married a few months later.  They were married from 1955 until she passed in 2014.  The family will inter them in one plot.  John often spoke about Joan after her passing—he missed her and loved her dearly, as he did his four children and their children:  John “Jack” (Kathy), Catherine (Peter), Donald (Hana), and Ann Griffin (Mark), grandchildren Katelyn, Jackson, Joan, Elaine, Charlotte, Kristina and Daniel and great-grandson Noah.

A mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10AM on Friday, April 26, 2019 at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 118 East Second Street, Frederick, MD. Interment will follow at St. John’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, honorary donations may be made to the GW Cancer Institute, 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, 3rd Floor, #355E, Washington, D.C. 20037 ( smhs.gwu.edu ).