Nolan Chandler

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 2, 2017 at Kingswood United Methodist Church. Rev. Brad Reeves will be the presiding minister. Burial will follow in Hollene Cemetery in Hollene, New Mexico at 3:00PM (Central Standard Time).  Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, S. Georgia St., Amarillo, Texas 79110.

Nolan died of natural causes on July 28, 2017 after a lengthy illness.

Nolan Leslie Chandler was born on August 22, 1934 to Herman and Sallie Chandler of Hollene, New Mexico. He was the middle son of three boys, older brother Fred Chandler and younger brother Martin Chandler. The family lived on an 80 acre homestead where they ran Hereford cattle and operated a dry land wheat farm. Living out in the country led to all three brothers learning to play musical instruments for entertainment. Fred played the guitar and fiddle, Nolan played the guitar, and Martin played the mandolin. They grew up “picking and grinning” for friends and family. The Dust Bowl and Great Depression eventually forced the sale of the farm and the family moved to Farwell, Texas. Nolan joined the army and served in Germany for two years, and was temporarily assigned to a travelling band that entertained the troops. After finishing his military duty, he returned to New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Animal Science. During his college years, he joined the Aggie Ramblers Band and played at dances and other events. The band produced several original songs and recorded records under the Goldust record label. Nolan and another Aggie Rambler, Emmit Brooks, were lucky enough to play on the Grand Ole Opry travelling show and opened for Patsy Cline and Farren Young.  Nolan married Susan Myers and they moved to Amarillo, Texas after college, where he was offered a job with KGNC radio to work with “Cotton John”, a leader in radio and television in the 1960’s. He was on the farm and ranch report for two and a half years. Nolan then joined US Grain Sorghum Producers, working for Bill Nelson as a liaison with county organizations promoting the cattle feeding and ranching industry. In 1967, he joined O.M. Franklin Serum Company as a veterinary supply salesman. Nolan later went on to work at Helena Animal Science, Tufts and Sons, Walco International, Hi-Pro Animal Health and Micro Beef. He successfully developed a very large and loyal customer clientele, selling veterinary supplies to everyone from large ranches, feedlots, veterinary hospitals and individuals with only one horse or cow. He treated everyone with the highest level of dignity and respect.  He would tell his family that he had the best job in the world; he was paid to call on his customers and friends. Customers had confidence in his decision-making skills and would tell him to leave whatever veterinary medical supplies that he thought that they needed to work x number of cattle. He was given free access to medicine rooms, offices, houses, and any place where medicine would be safely stored. He pioneered the concept of bringing medicine to the customer instead of simply taking an order and then shipping it to them later. He truly loved his job and didn’t retire until his late 70s.

Nolan had a good heart and was an avid fundraiser in the agricultural community, volunteering each year at the M.S. Beefathon, and as a buyer for the 4H shows and sales. He has also served many years on the Board of Directors of the Amarillo Tri-State Fair and Rodeo.

Nolan and Susan were the proud parent’s of two sons, Nolan Gregory Chandler and John Douglas Chandler. He always took a very active role in their upbringing which included participating in Cub Scouts, sports, hunting and fishing, helping with school work, and taught them a love and respect for animals that both boys hold dear to this day. Nolan loved horses and dogs, and had several throughout most of his life. Doug and Greg still have descendants of both his horses and dogs. He knew more people and had more friends than anyone could count, treasuring each one. Nolan had a zest for life. He had numerous “calf fry parties” at his house, often filling the house, yard, and driveway with guests. He would always have several friends bring their musical instruments filling the air with live country music and the smell of cooking food. People would always ask him to play for their weddings, parties, reunions, and anytime they wanted to hear good, classic, country music.

Nolan was preceded in death by his father and mother, Herman and Sallie Chandler, Susan Chandler and brothers Fred and Martin Chandler. He is survived by sons, Greg and wife Lori Chandler, and Doug Chandler, Angie, Ceygan, and Saeje. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the American Heart Association or a charity of your choice.