Chester Ault Passes

Published: April 22, 2019 01:07 pm EDT

It has been announced that Standardbred racehorse breeder/owner Chester Ault has passed away at the age of 104.

Chester V. Ault, 104, of Chattanooga, Tenn., was born in 1914 on a ‘frosty December day’ in Cedar Bluff, Ala. He was a longtime resident of Chattanooga, where his many ventures included founding a chain of Ault Hardware and Appliance Stores, developing North Crest Estates on Missionary Ridge and management of Ault Properties where he worked until his death at age 104.

Ault was a great lover of nature. Famous for his beautiful dahlias and tasty tomatoes, he had a life-long respect for animals of all kinds. He travelled widely throughout the world visiting 11 African countries. There he not only spent time with the mountain gorillas in Rwanda, but hunted big game in Botswana. He was an avid quail hunter who worked diligently to restore the quail population in Lookout Valley.

A world traveller, he loved to entertain with his stories of climbing the Great Pyramid and travelling down the Amazon. However, Rome was to be his favourite city, where he returned five times to trace the life and death of Saint Paul.

Ault came into international prominence in 1971 while he and his first wife Katie were managing the harness racing stable of the Dave L. Brown Trust. It was under their leadership that Steady Star became the fastest harness horse in the world (TT1:52) and held the world record for nine years. In 1997, both the horse and Ault were featured in Sports Illustrated and on CNN.

Ault, who was proud to have served his country during World War II in the Army Air Corp, was very interested in the history of the United States, learning that he was a descendant of both William Brewster and Isaac Allerton who arrived in 1620 on the Mayflower. He was a lifetime member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars.

During his lifetime, Ault was a member of First Centenary United Methodist Church, the Chattanooga Golf and Country Club, Fairyland Club, The Walden Club and the Dahlia Society. He was a former member of the Brainerd Kiwanis Club and the Jaycees.

He is survived by his wife, Rosemary Wilbanks Ault; daughter, Cathie Ault Kasch; grandchildren, Katie Kasch Bien (Keith) and Andrew David Kasch; great-grandchildren, Zoë Kasch, Mia Kasch, Tala Bien and Silas Bien; stepchildren, Robert Wilbanks and Emmaly Wilbanks Manuel (Joe); and step-grandchildren, Meredith Manuel, Wil Manuel and Mary Melissa Manuel. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Katie Brown Ault; son, Van Robert; sister, Catherine Ault Gill; and brother, Hugh Sr.

The funeral service will be held on Monday (April 22) at 3 p.m. at First Centenary United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 1–3 p.m. at the church. Graveside service to follow at Forest Hills Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Centenary United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 208, Chattanooga, TN 37401.

Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, Battlefield Parkway.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Chester Ault.

(Harnessracing.com)

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