Born February 21, 1938 in Roper, North Carolina to Roger T. Chesson, Sr. and Grace (Windley) Chesson; died October 12, 2007 in Austin, Texas. Survived by wife Patricia A. Chesson and son Bradley S. Chesson, and sisters Evelyn Gay-Lord and Julianne Chappell.

Served as a pilot in the US Air Force from 1960 to 1980. Graduated from Pilot Training Class 61-F at Vance AFB, Oklahoma, flying the T-33 and T-38 as an instructor, then flew the T-33 at Naha AB, Okinawa, Japan in 1965-67. Trained in the F-105D at McConnell AFB, Kansas and flew 100 combat missions over North Vietnam from Takhli RTAFB in 1968. Flew the A-37 at England AFB, Louisiana 1969-70 instructing South Vietnamese pilots, then the F-4 at MacDill AFB, Florida from 1970-73. Again flew the F-4 as a "Wild Weasel" at Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan 1973-76, and at Kunsan AB, South Korea in 1976-77. Served at PACAF Headquarters, Hickam AFB, Hawaii 1977-1980, and upon retirement moved to Austin, Texas where he continued in corporate flying until the late 80s.