Rufus T. Chatman was born on September 5, 1932 in Pavo, Georgia to the late James Charles and Essie Mae Head Chatman. Rufus departed this life on Sunday, November 11, 2018 after a brief illness. Rufus was nine years old when the Chatman family moved to New Jersey where he attended Westwood Public Schools. In 1950, after the family moved to Paterson NJ, Rufus entered the military. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict and served in the 82nd Airborne Division. During his tour of duty he was very active in the Army sports program where he excelled in boxing, basketball and football. Rufus was employed as a truck driver for Teamsters for 35 years and 15 years with Paterson Public Schools. He was a part time Commissioner and a Constable for the city of Paterson. Rufus was a sports legend in the city of Paterson. He dominated the sports scene playing semi-pro football for the Franklin Miners, semi-pro baseball for the Paterson Clippers and fast pitch softball for the Idle Hour and other teams. Rufus was also an avid golfer and averaged in the low 80s playing on golf courses in Myrtle Beach, Pennsylvania, and his favorite, Passaic County Golf Course. Rufus was a dynamic person with a dynamite personality! He was always laughing, teasing and making jokes. Everyone knew Rufus! He had a cool disposition and never seemed to let anything stress him out. He would do anything for family and friends. As a father, he was always supportive of his children. As a husband, he was the epitome of what every woman would want in a man. He was a kind, gentle and a loving person. A light has been turned off but the spirit of him will live on. He will be greatly missed. Rufus was predeceased by a sister Mary Brown, brother James Chatman and a son Darrin Hawthorne. Rufus leaves to cherish his fond memories, his wife Lois of 32 years, his daughters, Monique Nicole Thomas-Chatman of Piscataway, NJ, Cheryl Miller of West Orange, NJ, Sandy Joyner of Orange, New Jersey, his sons Michael Chatman (Virginia), of Paterson, NJ, Brian Chatman of New York, special sons Edward Cotton of Paterson, NJ, William Lightner of Paterson, NJ. a brother Joseph Vacca of Totowa, NJ and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.