Shelton Juan Chesson, Jr.
January 5, 1967 ~ March 8, 1999
A native of Rocky Mount, Juan grew up in his own backyard playing whiffleball, basketball, and football with his brother and friends. He began his coaching career at an early age as he assisted his father during hundreds of high school football, basketball, and baseball games. In his childhood, he reveled in his tasks as ball boy, bat boy, and equipment manager.
An outstanding student at Rocky Mount Senior High, he participated in football and baseball and was honored several times for sportsmanship. He also played American Legion Baseball.
He graduated from NC State University in 1989 with a B.S. Degree in Mathematics. In 1990 he received a Master's Degree in Sports Administration from Ohio University where he was awarded the Monte Woods Memorial Scholarship for exceptional contributions to the program. He then served as administrative assistant in the Department of Athletics at Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC.
Juan became a teaching assistant at NC State in 1992 and was awarded the Math Department's Maultbie Award in recognition of outstanding teaching. He received a Masters Degree in Mathematics Education from NC State in 1994.
He began teaching high school mathematics at Reynolds High School in 1994 and was honored as the outstanding first-year teacher by the Buncombe County Schools. He then transferred to T.C. Roberson High Schol where he taught for the past three years, coached Junior Varsity football and served as Assistant Coach for varsity baseball.
A private burial service will be conducted Friday, March 12, 2:30 pm, at Calvary Episcopal Churchyard, Fletcher. A public memorial service will follow at 4:00 pm Friday at Arden Presbyterian Church, where Juan was an active member and deacon. Playing basketball in the church gym was one of his favorite pastimes.
Cherishing his life and love are his wife, Kristen Chesson of Fletcher, with daughter Catherine Grace, to be born in May; his parents, Lela and Shelton Chesson of Rocky Mount; his brother, Harrell Chesson of Atlanta, GA; and his grandmother, Frances Harrell of Williamston, NC.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Chesson Memorial Scholarship Fund, Buncombe County Schools Foundation, c/o Barbara Gardner, 175 Bingham Road, Asheville, NC 28806.
His family will receive friends Friday afternoon at Arden Presbyterian Church immediately following the memorial service.
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is in charge of arrangements.
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Juan Chesson was a great teacher, coach and friend. It was really sad to lose such a great man who had such enthusiasm and love for life, but may God rest his soul. Love to the family and best to his soon to be born daughter, Catherine Grace.