Lonney Ray Chase

Lonney Ray Chase, age 74, of Angier, NC passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at Central Harnett Hospital in Lillington.  He was born in King City, Missouri on November 20, 1950 to his parents, the late Roy A. and Wilma Treece Chase.

He is also preceded in death by his son, Jason Lee Chase, of Missouri as well as his grandparents.

Mr. Chase is survived by his siblings in Missouri, brother, Victor Nappi and wife, Nancy; sister Denise Bloss and husband, Robert; sister Deavena Herrback and husband, Ron; and special friend, Gwynn Desaulniers.

Lonney graduated from Osborn High School in 1969 and then enlisted in the US Army.  Over his twenty year tenure in the army, he was stationed in several locations including the Middle East in Turkey and worked as a Communications Radio Broadcast Specialist, setting up and maintaining the communications equipment.  Sergeant First Class Lonney Ray Chase retired in 1992 while stationed at Fort Bragg, NC.  He then settled in Angier, NC and began working at Guilford Fibers in Fuquay-Varina, NC as a small motor winder repairman. He was very mechanically inclined, often repairing and building things. 

He struggled with diabetes, congestive heart failure, and other health issues but enjoyed being outside and always kept a well-groomed yard.  Although he had a left prosthetic lower leg, you would often find him on his lawnmower picking up pinecones, getting up pine straw, and cutting the grass.  In the summer he grew tomatoes in large planters on his deck.  He was a very talented cook, always sharing meals with Gwynn.

Lonney loved animals, especially cats – a love he shared with his neighbor friend, Pam.  They met one afternoon after Lonney had returned home from the hospital after a bad fall.  Pam had been leaving cat food on the back deck since a stray cat had delivered kittens in the empty doghouse while he was away.  He quickly became like a father to her. Pam’s husband, Tony, was close to Mr. Lonney as well, often stopping to check on him, and to help with things he wasn’t able to do from his wheelchair.

Over the last several years while Lonney struggled with debilitating health issues and multiple hospital stays, Gwynn took excellent care of him and made sure he received the medical care he needed – even when he protested!

Lonney was a special man.  He was dearly loved by Gwynn, Pam, Tony, and his brother and sisters and will be greatly missed.  He already is.

A private remembrance and committal service and burial with full military honors will be on Wednesday, May 28th, 2025 at 2pm at the Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery in Spring Lake, NC.

The Dunn Funeral Home of Erwin, NC is honored to handle the arrangements for Lonney Ray Chase.

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