George "Eddie" Edward Chase, Jr.

George Edward "Eddie" Chase, Jr, 76 of Abilene, passed away at his home on Monday, January 24, 2022.  A time of visitation with the family will be on Thursday, January 27, 2022 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street.   Graveside service will be on Friday, January 28, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at Elmwood Memorial Park Cemetery.

Eddie was born and raised in Abilene, Texas, graduating from Abilene High School in 1963. He was active in summer baseball, competed successfully on the Varsity Tennis Team, bird hunted with his 16 Gauge shotgun and fished with his family and friends. He also had a brief career in Ice Skating, being selected to perform with the Traveling Troupe for California On Ice that came to Abilene's skating rink decades ago!

While working towards his college degree in Microbiology at Hardin Simmons University, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served overseas in and around Germany working on top secret and classified matters. Upon Honorable Discharge, he finished his degree in Microbiology at HSU and then completed his second degree in Civil Engineering at Texas A & M University as a "Proud Aggie". He returned to Abilene to assist and take over his dad’s well respected Surveying Company handling WTU/AEP Power Line and plant surveys, multiple oil and gas well locations, and several land development projects in and around Abilene. He became the go to guy for many top shelf developments and construction projects, both residential and commercial, due to his work ethic because they knew he would work tirelessly into the night and weekends to get the job done. Nevertheless, he did like to take off one night per week to play small stakes poker with an elite group of friends. His extraordinary mathematical mind allowed him to uncannily calculate the cards held by the other players to increase his odds at winning a hand, and he loved the ribbing he received from them about it.

Eddie was a kindhearted and true friend to many, helping his co-workers and many others if he saw a need. While attending Hardin Simmons University, he met and fell in love with his future wife, a beautiful farm girl from Silverton, Texas, Peggy Laverne Mercer. During their 55 years of marriage, they raised 2 wonderful children who would go on to pursue their own careers. He was always thoughtful, pragmatic, quick witted, yet patient while navigating his children through life into adulthood. Eddie complained little but roared loudly when confronted with something deemed "not right". He was a loyal friend, brother, father, Uncle, cousin, grandfather and husband who knew the score and could remember the route and the historical markers to get there and back.

We will all miss him but look forward to seeing his smile once again on the next part of the journey. Meanwhile, please know that Eddie cherished his time with all of his many friends, family and associates.

Eddie was preceded in death by his parents, George Edward Chase, Sr., and Marietta Council Chase Mills and a daughter, LuAnn Chase.  He is survived by his wife Peggy of Abilene, son Gregory Chase and wife Michelle of Portland, Oregon and daughter Jessica Chase-Lockard and husband Charles of Abilene, grandsons Joshua Walke, Jesse Walke and John Walke and wife Angelina and one great grandson, all of Abilene.  His extended family includes: his brother Sam Chase and wife Linda; their children Heather and Col. Jim Bailey (Ret.) and children Laurel and Leann of Abilene; Hunter Chase (wife Mandi) and children Stone and Grant, all of Little Elm; some super cousins Mike & Rose Chase and son Jeff of Lubbock; and Jim and Vicky Chase of Midland, step brother John Mills and wife Rita of Frisco, TX and many more family and friends, loved but too numerous to mention.

If you are so inclined, a memorial donation to the Texas A & M Scholarship Fund, your own local church Building Fund, Pioneer Drive Baptist Church Building Fund, or Hendrick Hospice Care would be well received.

Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.