Coach Chester L. Proctor III, age 75, of Vidalia, died Thursday, June 12, 2025, after a sudden illness. He was born and raised in Redford Township, Michigan on May 30, 1950, to the late Chester Leslie Proctor and Sarah Virginia Miller Proctor. He was a 1968 graduate of Lee M. Thurston High School, receiving a wrestling scholarship from the University of Arizona where he wrestled and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing. Later, he earned a Master’s and an Ed.S. from Nova Southeast University in Technology Administration. He started his career in education at Vidalia High School where he taught advanced mathematics. Coach Proctor developed and expanded the wrestling program where he was head coach for fourteen years and assistant coach for the football team. He was the recipient of the Star Teacher Award and the Big Chief Award, retiring from Vidalia High School after thirty years, and becoming a mentor to countless students. Immediately after retiring, he started teaching math at Coastal Plains Charter High School where had been teaching since 2020. He was involved in creating marketing for Coca Cola and Wayne Gretzky and was a former PGA golf professional at Hilton Head. He was a former member of the Vidalia Lions Club, and he attended Smith Street Baptist Church. He was always pursing new technology in any aspect that was of interest to him. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Ashby Frank Colvin.
His family includes his wife of twenty-one years, Sharon Ann Proctor; six children, Chester L. Proctor IV and wife Heather of Alston, Beth Heath and husband Michael of Carlton, Michael Ross and wife Kellie of Commerce, Andy Ross of Danielsville, Becki Ross of Vidalia, and Joey Ross and fiancé Melissa of Commerce; one sister, Leslie Jean Colvin of Pawleys Island, South Carolina; and eleven grandchildren.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 5:00 until 8:00.
A private memorial service will be held later.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to Vidalia High School, 901 North St. West, Vidalia, GA 30474 – Attention Wrestling Fund.
Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home of Vidalia is in charge of arrangements.
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