High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Chester Robert Upham, Jr., known as Chet Upham (May 19, 1925–January 24, 2008), was an oil and natural gas businessman from Mineral Wells, Texas, who served as the chairman of the Texas Republican Party from 1979–1983, corresponding with the first gubernatorial administration of his friend, William P. "Bill" Clements, Jr. Upham was a delegate to every Texas state Republican convention from 1960–1994 and to the national conventions of 1972, 1980, 1984, and 1992. He was a member of the Business Council organized by current Governor Rick Perry.