John Chandler

John Wilburn Chandler, Jr was born in Springfield, MO on March 22, 1935.  The family later moved to Tulsa, OK where he completed all of his schooling. Following college, he served three years in the United States Army at Ft. Bliss and White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.He moved to New Mexico in 1962 and met his wife, Pat, there.  They were married on November 27, 1963.  John was employed by the Huning Brothers of Los Lunas, NM.  He managed their hardware store and assisted with the cattle and sheep operations.  In 1968 he moved on to Wayne Lovelady*s Frontier Ford in Albuquerque, where he later became a partner.In 1982 John opened John Chandler Ford in Amarillo.  He was quite active in the community, serving on too many Boards to mention.  Amongst his favorites were chairman of the United Way in Albuquerque and Amarillo, Boy Scouts, St. Anthony*s and BSA Hospitals, Board of Regents West Texas A & M University, Amarillo Area Foundation, Sybil B. Harrington Foundation, Amarillo Club, Lions Club International and the Thursday Morning Breakfast Club. Topping his list of favorites would be his efforts to promote canine adoptions by donating time on his commercials to feature dogs available at the Animal Rescue Shelter.Business-wise he served on the National Ford Dealer Council, Texas New Car Dealers Association, Texas Auto Dealers Association and the Ford Dealer Advertising Federation.  He served a two-year term on the Amarillo City Commission.  He was named the Amarillo Globe News Man of the Year in 1988 and the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year in 1987.John was preceded in death by his parents and nephew, Jerry Harpole.He is survived by his wife Pat; daughter Michelle Lerma and husband Robert of Houston; a sister Delores McKinney of Los Angeles and numerous nieces and nephews including Eileen Harpole and Paul Harpole and his wife Jenny.  Special to him are great great nieces and nephews Kiera, Payton, Brady, Kellen and Rylee.

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