Jimmie Thomas Chatman

Jimmie "Jim" Thomas Chatman, 74, of Abilene, died Friday, December 10, 2010 at a local hospital. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 14, 2010 in the chapel at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Rev. Stan Allcorn will officiate. Burial will follow at Elmwood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Jim was born on July 6, 1936 in Midlothian, Texas to Charlie Alan Chatman and Pauline (Wilson) Chatman. He married Barbara Ann Beckett in Ft. Worth, Texas on December 1, 1955. Jim worked for Buddy's Super Market in Ft. Worth before entering the insurance business, which took him to Lubbock for a short time before moving to Abilene in 1966. He began his career in the insurance business with National Life and Accident Insurance Company, which later became American General Life and Accident Insurance Company. Jim retired from American General in 1992 after 30 years of employment. Jim was a "people person". He loved visiting and getting to know people. He had a special love for his two grandsons, Jeffrey and Ryan. He was very supportive and proud of Ryan as he played football for Cooper High School as their quarterback. He was equally as proud of Jeffrey as a graduate of Texas A & M University. He was definitely a proud "Aggie Grandpa". Jim was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Abilene. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Pauline Chatman; two brothers, Leon "Pete" Chatman and Garey Chatman; and one sister, Maidee Thomas. Jim is survived by his wife, Barbara Ann Chatman of Abilene; two sons, Mark Chatman of Carrollton, Georgia, and John Clifton Chatman and wife Diane of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky; one daughter, Melanie Heslep and husband Gary of Abilene; one brother, Bill C. Chatman and wife LaDonna of Lindale; one aunt, Frances Dickerson of Ft. Worth; two grandsons, Jeffrey Heslep and wife Jaimie of Round Rock, and Ryan Heslep of Abilene; as well as several nieces, nephews and numerous cousins. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 8008 Slide Rd., Ste. 12 A, Lubbock, Texas 79424; or to the donor's favorite charity.