Thomas “Jason” Chilton

Thomas “Jason” Chilton went to be with the Lord on July 15, 2024 . Jason passed away peacefully while undergoing treatment at Truman Hospital in Kansas City for Chronic Heart Failure. He was the son of the lateThomas Leroy Chilton and Edith ElizabethFrench-ChiltonRoss of Eminence,Missouri. Jasonwas born on April 1, 1963,into a long line of families with roots deeply embedded in Shannon County.

He grew up in French Hollow, where he resided for most of his life until his health started failing. Upon graduation from Eminence High School in 1981, Jason attended Linn Tech where he obtained a degree in auto mechanics. Jason worked a variety of jobs including as a mechanic for the Missouri Department of Conservation and an over-the-road truck driver, a career he loved.

Jason professed his faith by baptism as a young man and was a member of Eminence United Methodist Church. Life sometimes proved to be a challenge for Jason, but kept his faith in God throughout the years, carrying a Bible that was worn to shreds, telling others about God’s love.

Jason was a “Jack of all trades ”.He was an excellent mechanic, inventive, and often came up with ways to “redneck engineer” things that were broken. He was a brilliant mechanic and welder, often dreaming up and building various contraptions for logging, off - roading, and work. Jason had a huge heart and never knew a stranger. He enjoyed visiting with people from all walks of life, never passing judgment or failing to help those in need. His wardrobe consisted almost entirely of black t-shirts, and he was rarely seen without one on. He loved music, picking his guitar, and jamming with friends.

Jason loved his sidekicks, four-legged friends, “Cash” and “Festus”. As an outdoorsman, he loved being in the woods and hunting. He spent many hours at his grandad Walt’s cabin and his family cabin at the Gage Hole. In his younger years, Jason was a true river rat, running the Current River in his jet boat enjoying the water, beautiful scenery, and fishing.

Jason is preceded in death by his parents, Leroy and Edibeth (French)Chilton; his grandparents, Thomas Joshua Chilton, Walter Winterbottom, Thela (Pummill) ChiltonWinterbottom, William Aden “Bill” French and Grace (McKinney) French. He is survived by his two children, Jordan Schreiber, and Thomas Joseph Chilton; siblings, Jeanine (Rich) Delong, Jenni Chilton-Dodson, and Josh (Crystal) Chilton; and a host of nephews, nieces, relatives, and friends.

A family-guided memorial service followed by visitation will be held on Sunday, August 4, 2024, from 2:00-4:00 pm at the Eminence Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. Cremation arrangements were under the direction of Yarber Mortuary, Eminence, Missouri. Condolencesmay be expressed at www.yarbermortuary.com