Chet Lemon’s family has an interesting request for anyone attending his celebration of life ceremony.
They want everybody to wear red, black or white. “Those were Chet’s favorite colors — red, white and black,” Gigi Lemon, his wife, said.
His travel baseball program would wear red and black at tournaments on Friday and Saturday and all white on Sunday. “I guess it’s like Tiger Woods wearing red on Sunday,” Gigi Lemon said May 12. “Chet Lemon wore white on Sunday.”
Lemon died on May 8 at the age of 70. A celebration of life ceremony will be held May 22 at The Big House, his baseball facility in Tavares, Florida.
The family had received countless texts, emails and phone calls since he passed at his home.
“Oh, my goodness, it’s been incredible,” Gigi Lemon said. “You can’t even imagine how many loved this man and how many lives he touched. I mean, there are so many stories that I’ve read, text messages, emails.
“My son told me about a taxi driver that posted that he drove Chet around because how much they used to travel, and everybody’s just got kind stories about him.”
One of Lemon’s former players wrote a note to the family that Gigi Lemon read to the Free Press: “Honestly, he is Superman to me, not as a baseball player, but as a human, a coach and a mentor. He’s the only person I’ve ever referred to as a second dad. The mental strength and principles he instilled in me at the young age carry with me every day. Seeing him in a wheelchair was tough the first time, and I got used to it quickly. His reaction to seeing the other players at the dinner table when we came over was something I’ll hold with me forever. I was so hopeful that he will return to good health, just as he had over the last few decades. It was so good to spend time with him over the last few months, and it meant a lot to my wife and kids. I just wish I could have found a way to make more time.”
One of Chet Lemon’s surgeons also wrote a note that Gigi Lemon read to the Free Press: “I’m so sorry to hear the news. It was an honor to care for Chet, not just as a patient, but as someone whose strength and humility off the field matched the grit he showed throughout his illness. His legacy will live on, not only in sports history, but in the lives of those he inspired, including mine.”
The online obituary reads:
“Chester Earl “Chet” Lemon, born on February 12, 1955, in Jackson, Mississippi, and raised in Compton, California, was a beloved husband, father, Major League Baseball All-Star, devoted mentor, and faithful servant of Jehovah. He passed away peacefully on May 8, 2025, at his home in Apopka, Florida. He was 70 years old.
Chet is survived by his loving wife, Gigi; his children Brianna, Marcus, David, and Chester Jr. He was preceded in death by his mother, Gloria Lemon. He also leaves behind many extended family members, dear friends, former teammates, and mentees whose lives he touched.
Chet’s journey into professional baseball was driven by his natural talent, relentless work ethic and deep competitive spirit. Drafted in the first round of the 1972 MLB Draft by the Oakland Athletics, he made his major league debut in 1975 with the Chicago White Sox. Known for his fearless play and defensive brilliance, he set an American League record with 512 outfield putouts in 1977 — a record that still stands today.
In 1981, he joined the Detroit Tigers, where he became a central figure on the team that would go on to win the 1984 World Series. Over a 16-year MLB career, Chet compiled a .273 batting average, 215 home runs, 884 RBIs, and three All-Star selections. He was respected not only for his talent but for his leadership, humility, and fierce determination.
After retiring from professional baseball, Chet brought that passion to Florida, where he started travel baseball. He founded the Chet Lemon School of Baseball and launched the respected Chet Lemon’s Juice travel program, creating opportunities for young athletes to develop their skills and grow both on and off the field. But his influence extended far beyond the sport. Through his guidance, countless young people— whether athletes or not — were encouraged to pursue excellence in every area of life. Many of those he mentored went on to succeed not only in professional baseball, but in business, education, healthcare, public service, and other fields. Chet believed in the potential of young people and poured himself into helping them build meaningful, principled lives.
A devoted Jehovah’s Witness, Chet’s faith was the foundation of everything he did. His spiritual values shaped the way he treated others—with kindness, patience, and love—and gave him strength during difficult times, including his 1990 diagnosis with polycythemia vera and strokes he faced later in life. Despite these challenges, his unwavering commitment to serving others and honoring Jehovah never wavered.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Chet Lemon Foundation, which carries forward his lifelong mission of supporting youth through sports and personal development:
Support the Youth through Sports : Chet Lemon’s Passion
“Your donation to the Chet Lemon Foundation will directly support young athletes, providing them with opportunities to stay active and engaged in sports—a powerful way to promote lifelong health and help prevent conditions like stroke. Physical activity not only builds skills and confidence in children but is also proven to reduce risks associated with strokes and related health issues. In addition, your contribution will help us partner with organizations dedicated to raising awareness about stroke prevention and aphasia, a condition affecting speech and language abilities often caused by stroke. Together, we can empower kids and communities to stay healthy, informed, and inspired.”
Contact Jeff Seidel: jseidel@freepress.com or follow him @seideljeff.