MORELAND, Chester Hugh (Chet)

Mohave Daily news, Mohave Valley, AZ - Published in Mohave Daily News Online from Oct. 6 to Oct. 13, 2013 - ~Chester Hugh Moreland, age 84, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, September 17, 2013. Chet was born to Gus and Lillian Moreland on July 17, 1929 in Delano, Calif. ~Upon meeting Lena Joanne Johnson, it was love at first sight, and together they raised two beautiful daughters, Melanie and Lillie. In 1952, he helped establish the first school for handicapped children in Whittier, Calif., which then served as a model for future schools. ~After his retirement from forty years in the concrete industry, he chose to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a fishing guide on the Colorado River in Bullhead City, Ariz. As the proprietors of Smitty's Bait & Tackle, Chet and Joanne became well-known faces, and Chet provided the fishing report on the morning news broadcast. ~He was an active board member of the Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club, and the Mohave Electric Co-Op. While with the Kiwanis, he was instrumental in establishing the Boys & Girls Club, and each year helped organize the Striper Derby, and took over 100 children fishing on Lake Mohave. He loved to fish, hunt, travel and play golf. ~One of his proudest moments was scoring a hole-in-one on the Chaparral Golf Course. He and Joanne visited six continents and enjoyed each moment of their travels. In addition to having a keen wit, Chet was a true gentleman, and would help anyone in need. He will be dearly missed. ~He is preceded in death by his beloved daughter Lillie Mae Moreland. ~Chet is survived by his wife Joanne; daughter, Melanie Curtsinger and husband Jack; granddaughter, Katie and her husband Drew; step-grandchildren, Carol, Clay and Craig Curtsinger; great-grandchildren, Jack, Graham, Austin, Cullen and Chandler; his brother, Harold, wife Shirley; and many beloved nieces and nephews.