Earl Wesley Chaffin

Earl was a rather quiet man, although he enjoyed a good joke and a prank! He was known for his 'Wet Willy's'! He got a tickle out of sneaking up on some unsuspecting soul, and putting his sloppy, wet finger in their ear! He had a rather simple and humble life as he was NOT born with a 'Silver Spoon' in his mouth, but more likely one whittled out of wood. His parents, Haskel and Dorothy were very young when Earl was born. Soon after, there was another son, Robert, followed by Dearld, Leonard, and a sister, Thelma. Earl was rambunctious and had to take on chores at an early age. He used to reminisce about getting up early to milk the Cow and about riding his horse, Piute. Earl loved animals, and being in nature. He loved to fish and hunt. Earl was in his 'element' when doing those things. Earl joined the US Army at 18 because he wanted to 'prove' himself, and also said," They were hiring at the time." Earl served 6 years in the Army, achieving the rank of an E-5/ SP5 with Vietnam being his first duty station. He was with the 92 Aviation Company/Assault as a Helicopter mechanic and a Door Gunner. Yes, he was 'that' guy that you see in all of the action-pack military movies, as the helicopter zigzags through the air, with his legs and feet hanging out of the open door, holding on to a machine gun with bullets whizzing past his head! Thank goodness he survived! After his tour in Vietnam, Earl and his growing family were stationed in Germany. He often spoke about how much he really enjoyed Germany and the people. He enjoyed the food and of course, the beer! Earl DID enjoy a good, cold beer. But in Germany, they would drink warm beer! Oh well," When in Rome", as they say. Earl finished his military service State Side and took on various jobs as a Roughneck and of course, Auto Mechanic near the area of his hometown of Marysville/Yuba City. Earl also loved cars as he did models when he was a boy and eventually raced cars in Northern California. Earl eventually made his way to Southern California, settling in El Cajon. He went to school to get his Auto Mechanic skills honed in and was eventually able to get a job with Avis Rent-A-Car. Although he left the company a couple of times, he DID finally stay and was able to make a career out of it. Earl was medically retired from Avis in 2005 due to an ongoing knee injury that he sustained some 25 years before. Earl's life for the last 20 years was rocked with some health issues. A few he was able to overcome, but not all of them. He was a fighter and did all that he could to 'Keep on Living' until he simply could not. He was never alone, surrounded by family and most importantly his daughter, Dyan, was holding his hand when he took his last breath. He knew he was loved and that it was time to let go as we all told him that we didn't want him to be in pain any longer. Earl passed peacefully and that is all any of us wanted. We know that our Grief is his Relief. And that he will be waiting for us as each of us makes our way when it is our time. We Love you Earl, and know that you are watching over us, making sure that we live our lives to the fullest. Rest in Peace. Earl is survived by his spouse, Sharon Chaffin; his daughter Dyan M. McBeth of Georgia; his brother Derald Chaffin of Alpine, California, his brother Wesley Chaffin of Kansas, his brother Chris Chaffin of Tennessee and his sister Thelma Brocker of Susanville, California; his grandchildren Matthew W. McBeth, and Tiffani M. Butler, his great-grandchildren Gwenneth M. McBeth, and Edison M. McBeth. Earl was preceded in death by his son Shannon Chaffin.

Earl Wesley Chaffin

June 30, 1950 - March 18, 2025