Michael Headley Chaney

Michael “Mike” Headley Chaney was born on December 26, 1954, to Betty L. and Weldon H. Chaney in Midland, TX, and was called to his eternal home with the Lord on January 29, 2026, in Odessa, TX.

The Celebration of Life service to honor the life of Mike Chaney will be held on Saturday February 7, 2026, at 1:00pm at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Odessa, TX, with burial services to follow.

Upon graduation from Midland Lee High School in Midland, TX, in 1973, Mike attended Odessa College in Odessa, TX. While attending Odessa College, he went to work as a roughneck in the oil field in the Permian Basin. Mike then went on to live and work in Lafeyette, Louisiana where he worked in offshore drilling before temporarily moving overseas to work in the oil & gas industry in the Middle East. His time in Louisiana was one of his most reminisced cherished memories where he made lifelong friends. In the early 1980s, Mike left his career in the oil field to work in his family’s business, The Chaney Corporation, where he started out as a delivery driver for one of their businesses, Rent-N-Own. As the company grew, Mike became Vice President and decided to move part of the company to Dallas, TX, where he volunteered to supervise multiple Rent-N-Own and RNO Finance locations. Mike was a key part of the company’s growth during its most successful years. He served on the Board of Directors for the Texas Consumer Finance Association in the 1990s and early 2000s. In 2006, Mike made the decision to move back to Odessa, TX, to be closer to family and help supervise the company’s pawn shops, Permian Pawn and Jewelry, until his retirement from the company in 2023 due to illness. His customers and employees over the years became friends – some more like family – and held a special place in Mike’s heart.

Mike was the most genuine guy you would ever meet – always had your back, loved deeply and was intensely loyal. If you were blessed enough to get to meet him during his lifetime, you know the many joyous moments and blessings he gave, the lessons he taught and the countless memories he shared of his life’s many adventures – he was one of kind and will be missed beyond words. In his free time, Mike had a love for Harley Davidson’s, fast cars, classic rock and experiencing the most life had to offer with his loved ones.

Mike is preceded in death by his sister Debbie Smith and his brother-in-law Mike Smith.

Mike is survived by his sister Cathy Smith, parents Weldon and Betty Chaney, and nieces Megan and Katie Smith.

Mike’s family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

If you would like to send flowers or memorials for Mike, please send them to Sunset Memorial Gardens in Odessa, TX. The family wishes to extend our sincere appreciation to everyone who loved and cherished Mike throughout his life.