Artie "Pete" Benjamin Chesnut III

Artie “Pete” Chesnut III passed away Sunday October 3rd.  He is preceded in death by his parents A.B. Chesnut Jr. and Mary Bennett Chesnut and Nephew James D. Chesnut Jr..  He is survived by his brother James David Chesnut Sr. and Rosa Chesnut of Cummings, GA and Sister Patricia Chesnut Chapmon and Buddy Chapmon of Archdale , NC. Nieces Vetta Parker and Sandra Murphy and families.  Son Artie “Ben” Benjamin Chesnut IV and Michelle Chesnut and grandchildren Cameron Chesnut, Morgan Chesnut and Lauren Chesnut of Wilmington, NC and his dog Dude.

Pete was the first child of Ches and Mary, born in Raleigh NC December 28th, 1939.  His father, being an excellent welder, moved the family to the Wilmington, NC area to build liberty ships.  They later relocated to Burlington, NC to work for the Fairchild Aircraft Corporation welding airplane fuselages again for the war effort.  His mother Mary worked in textiles.  Pete played baseball and football growing up and it was at Williams High School where he noticed the ridge on the south end of the county.  It was that day he decided to own property on top of Cane Creek Mountain.  Pete was in the Army Reserves as a SPC-4 and later worked in Real Estate, Amway, construction and as a Draftsman among various wide-ranging endeavors.  He moved up on Cane Creek Mountain in the mid 80’s where he lived to his final days.  He was known for his cars, airplanes, and the vast stories he would tell of his travels and the extraordinary folks of the area including writing for local and national publications.  In his final years he came to know ALCOVETS, a local veteran’s organization, through lifelong acquaintances.  To help plan for his passing he decided to donate his beloved property to the group for a campus to support veterans as a decompression point where they can receive help and to help others.  With his prior experience he was able to help envision the site plan for the campus.

Funeral services will be on this land at 2:00 pm Saturday 10/9/2021.  Pete wishes in lieu of flowers, donations be made directly to ALCOVETS at Alcovets.org,336-932-8387 or mail to 301-24 NW Court Square, Graham NC, 27253. McClure Funeral Service in Graham is assisting the family.

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