Bernis Milton ("Chip") Choate Jr. passed away October 26th, 2021 surrounded by his family and loved ones.

Chip Choate is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sidney Choate; his children, Stephen Choate & wife, Robin Choate, and Heather Choate; his grandchildren, Taylor Dolifka & husband, Levi Dolifka, Brittyn Choate, Megan Honan & husband, Kevin Honan, Stephanie Hartlieb & husband, Tyler Hartlieb, Chandler Choate & boyfriend, Tyler Musso, and Michael Austin Krail, and his great-grandchildren; Lula Dolifka and Ellie Honan. He is also survived by two sisters, Paula Adams and Carrie May.  He is preceded in death by both of his parents, his brother, Rodger Choate, and his son, Michael Choate.

Chip Choate was born June 18th, 1943 in Houston, Texas. On February 14th, 1964, he married his high school sweetheart, Sidney McLeod. He received his bachelor of science in accounting from the University of Houston and went on to graduate from the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. During his career, he served as the chief executive officer for Bear Creek National Bank and, later, senior vice president of the Bellaire and Houston National Banks. He was a proud member of the Lions Club, Rotary Club, and Alief Youth Association. After retiring from the banking industry, he served as Mayor of Onalaska, Texas from 2018 through his final days in 2021.

He was a quiet leader, resilient fighter, selfless giver, and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He touched the lives of countless people in each phase of his life and embodied the true example of a philanthropist. Though he is gone, his memory will continue onward through the many lives he changed for the better.

Visitation will be held from 3:00-6:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 31, 2021 at Onalaska First United Methodist Church, 700 HWY 356 South, Onalaska, TX. Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 1st, 2021 at Onalaska First United Methodist Church, 700 HWY 356 South., Onalaska, TX. Interment Magnolia Cemetery, 492 Magnolia Cemetery Rd., Onalaska, TX.