John Stephen Chaffin

Dr. John Chaffin, a man of action and service throughout his life, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, October 5, 2024.

His life’s journey began in Perry, Oklahoma, on April 26, 1947. The second of four sons born to Betty and Everett Chaffin, John grew up in a farming community where he learned the value of hard work at an early age, raising and selling chickens and vegetables and driving a combine on wheat harvest in the Oklahoma summer sun. 

A talented athlete, Dr. Chaffin played high school football at Perry High School, where he wore the No. 44 jersey with pride. All Conference his senior year as a tall, tough full back, he would go on to love football all his life. 

After graduating from Oklahoma State University in 1969, Dr. Chaffin was drafted into the Vietnam War. Knowing that maintaining a strong academic record and enrolling in ROTC would allow him to serve as a commissioned officer, he entered the Army as a Second Lieutenant. It was during his service as a medical evacuation helicopter pilot in Vietnam that Dr. Chaffin discovered his calling to help the sick and injured. He was a decorated war hero, earning a Purple Heart, a bronze star with a V for valor, a combat medical badge and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. He was always brave. 

Dr. Chaffin applied to the University of Oklahoma Medical School from Vietnam and began his studies three weeks after returning to the United States. Thus began his journey into medicine. He completed a cardiovascular fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, launching a distinguished 45-year career in which he saved countless lives.

Dr. Chaffin worked with Dr. Nazih Zuhdi, Dr. Allen Greer, and Dr. Christiaan Barnard to launch and run the Baptist Medical Center (now Integris Baptist Medical Center) heart transplant program in 1985, one of the first in the country. 

Over the course of his lengthy career of service, Dr. Chaffin performed more than 38,000 heart, lung, and vascular procedures, as well as 660 heart transplants, 444 lung transplants, and 687 mechanical support device implants. His partners always said that he would take the cases other surgeons would not do. Gifted mechanically, he was a solution finder. 

During his long tenure at Integris he served as the head of the cardiovascular surgical program for many years. He was the medical director of the cardiac ICU “801” for 20 years. He was active in civic organizations: Leadership Oklahoma, Leadership OKC, community Literacy Center, the American Heart Association, and a leader in his Christ the King Catholic parish. 

Dr. Chaffin’s legacy extends beyond his medical achievements. He had great love for his children, despite his demanding profession and is remembered as a devoted husband and father. He also found new joy in his role as a grandfather, affectionately called "Doc" by his grandchildren.

Dr. Chaffin is lovingly remembered by his beloved wife of 37 years, Terre Cooke Chaffin; their son, Luke Chaffin, and his wife, Kerry; their daughter, Bobbe Hill, and her husband, Morey; and his two daughters from his first marriage, Brooke Chaffin and Kristen Palmer. His grandchildren, Liam Brooks Reid, Jack Sutton Reid, Windan Palmer, and Ellis and Penelope Hill, will forever cherish his memory.

Dr. John Chaffin will be deeply missed by all who knew him, but his legacy of compassion, dedication, and service will continue to inspire those he touched throughout his life.

Livestream for Mass of Christian Burial: https://ckokc.org/live-streaming