Obituary: Thomas Chester

WELLINGTON, Ohio – Thomas A. Chester, 49, of Wellington, Ohio, died Friday, Sept. 24, 2004, of injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
He was born May 19, 1955, in Cambridge and came to Wellington 31 years ago.
He graduated from Wellington High School and from Lorain County Joint Vocational School in agricultural business and attended Lorain County Community College.
Chester was most recently named president and chief executive officer of Agland Co-op Inc. of Canfield.
He started his career in cooperatives at Farmers Co-op Supply in 1973. From 1987 to 2000 he was general manager and treasurer of Town & Country Co-op, formerly Farmers Co-op Supply Co., and then was general manager and treasurer of Town & Country Co-op Inc., LaGrange, and Equity Exchange Co., Wooster.
He worked in negotiations with Medina Landmark to purchase the Grafton grain facility and form Grafton Grain LLC, for which he served as a board member.
He became vice president and North Area manager of Town and Country Co-op Inc. of Ashland in 2003, assuming responsibility of the Sullivan and LaGrange facilities, the Grafton grain terminal and Bill’s Citgo Station.
He was a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Grafton.
Survivors include his wife of 14 years, Robin Seabold Chester; daughter, Taylor, and son, Tommy, both at home; stepdaughter, Kristy Plas of Grafton; his mother, Norma Chester of Wellington; sister, Pam Foreman of Wellington; and brother, Richard Chester of Wellington.
He was preceded in death by his father, Roger Chester; and a brother, Ronald Chester.
Memorial services were held Sept. 29 at Bauer-Laubenthal Funeral Home in Elyria and at the church with the Rev. John Seabold officiating. Burial was in River Road Cemetery in LaGrange Township.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Taylor and Tommy Chester Scholarship Fund at FirstMerit Bank, 105 Court St., Elyria, OH 44035, or any FirstMerit branch.