John Edward Chandler, Jr

John Edward Chandler, Jr.

March 26, 1964 – September 27, 2021

John E. Chandler, Jr., 57, died peacefully at his home on September 27, 2021. John was the son of the late John Edward Chandler, Sr. and Sylvia Chandler. His birth was an answer to their prayers for a son, and he was beloved by them.

John was a musician who especially loved classic rock and early Christian rock bands. His passion for music began with a drum set when he was a child. Later, he taught himself to play lead and bass guitars. He enjoyed jamming with friends, played in a praise band, sang in a church choir and did some song writing.

John worked for many years as a mechanical assembler, mechanical inspector, production operator and production supervisor for area DOD contract companies. John took computer courses in community college and tech school, and family and friends called on him to help with their computers and other tech challenges. He was a fan of muscle cars, car shows, building model cars and tinkering with cars, using skills learned from his dad and uncles.

John shared a loud love of University of Alabama football with his dad and extended family. He was known for texting family and friends and providing running commentary during games. Dogs, from Sam in his childhood to current dog Kaia, were good companions, and John shared his heart for animals with daughter Danielle.

John graduated from Escambia High School, Pensacola where he played in the marching band. The youth group at Myrtle Grove United Methodist Church where his dad pastored was particularly formative for him. He kept in touch with friends from his childhood and youth from the multiple places his family lived in Alabama and Florida. Friends tell stories about John’s sense of humor, willingness to help, strongly held beliefs, kindness, fierce loyalty, prayers and skills on the bass guitar.

John is survived by his beloved daughter, Danielle, who has been the major focus of his life, especially since the death of her mother in 2015. He is also survived by his loving mother Sylvia and his sisters Wanda (Roy) Pumphrey and Sharon Junco, niece Cara (Angelo) Miller, nephew Graham (Amy) Pumphrey and great-nieces/nephews Lillian, Hannah-Elaine, Aaron, Reid and Eliora. He enjoyed gatherings with extended family including surviving aunts and uncles Marguerite, Bonnie, Rachel, Jane, Tommy, Ann, Roger, Nancy, Cecil, and Delores Chandler, and his many cousins. He was never happier than when gathered with family, eating good Southern food, sharing stories, and laughing about everything and nothing. If music was involved in the gathering, so much the better.

John was preceded in death by his beloved father, paternal and maternal grandparents, uncles Roy and Robert Lee, Woodrow, Brady, Marcus, and Troy Chandler, and cousins Doug and Cecil “Sput” Chandler and Shane Rexroad. We take comfort in imagining his dad, whom John missed dearly, welcoming him Home. And we think we can hear the bass cranked up as John joins his good friend Matthew Wellborn in the ultimate praise band.

Cremation has taken place through Heritage Gardens Funeral Home. A family service for scattering of ashes will be held soon. John’s family are all grateful for the outpouring of love and support.

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