Thomas E. Chidester, Jr.

Thomas passed away peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at the Good Samaritan Hospice in Wexford, PA.

He was born October 2, 1962, in New Brighton, PA to the late Thomas E. and Lucinda G. (Powell) Chidester Sr.  He graduated in 1981 from Riverside High School and worked 20+ years at Passavant Memorial Homes before leaving in 2019.  He was a longtime member of the Beaver Fall Church of the Nazarene and a 30+ year member of the Beaver County Mystic Magicians.

He never met a stranger, only a friend he never met before. He would strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere, anytime.  He loved to make people laugh and would make silly jokes.  His one favorite he always told was that while in church the Pastor said something along the lines of that God has no Equal and Tom replied but God does have Splenda and Sugar.

He could also go on and on about magic/sleight of hand and always wanted to show you a trick or two or three.  He loved performing and didn’t need a microphone as he had a booming voice and a distinctive laugh.  He also talked about the children and young adults from church and the puppet shows he did and helped with.

He was preceded in death by his parents in 2023 and 2000 respectively; his maternal grandparents: Leslie and Ida Mae (Frederick) Powell; paternal grandparents: George and Alice (Grant) Chidester; nephew Kaleb Chidester and several aunts and uncles.

Those left behind to mourn him are his brothers and sister-in-law: Charles (Les) Chidester, Robert and Mary Chidester all of New Brighton; Nephews: Kent, Bradley, and Charlie Chidester; Uncle and Aunts: Chet and Joyce Chidester, Kentucky; Peggy Bardocz, Beaver Falls, PA; Sally Powell, Darlington, PA; many cousins and his favorite puppers “niece” Piper Ann.

Many thanks to Good Samaritan in Wexford for the loving care as they took care of Tom as he was transitioning to Heaven.  They are truly a wonderful group of people.

Friends and family will be received Thursday, September 26, 2024, from 4 pm until time of funeral service at 6 pm in J & J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 Third Ave, New Brighton, with his pastor, Joe Schiren, officiating.