Donald Lee Chandler

Donald Lee Chandler, age 80, of Salem, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, left this life on Monday, February 20, 2012. He was born on April 6, 1931 in Newport News, VA to the late Edgar Forrest and Bertha Wilson Chandler. His ancestors came from Tyrone County of Northern Ireland. He was descended from many generations of carpenters and builders and worked all his life as a carpenter and superintendant for many construction companies including 25 years with Boxley Construction Company, Avis, and Loeb. He leaves a legacy of his accomplishments over a vast area of the U.S. and locally. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant brother, Charles; and other brothers, Albert and Bill. His surviving family includes his wife of 58 years, Betty Chaffin Chandler of Salem; sister, Trudy Barrett of NJ; brothers, Forrest Chandler and special friend, Ann Pendleton, of WI, and Jerry Chandler of Salem; sister, Judy Robertson and husband, Mickey, of GA; former sister-in-law, Rose Marie Smallwood; children, Donna Moses and husband, Larry, of SC, Bryan Chandler and wife, Deb, of Salem, David Chandler and wife, Ann, of Roanoke, Barry Chandler and wife, Kathy, of Salem, and Lisa Kenyon and husband, Scott, of Colorado; grandchildren, Aaron, Annie, Eric, Brennan, Chelsea, Regan, and Noah; and several great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He loved his family, his work, playing golf, the Redskins, Virginia Tech, NASCAR, and the Ford Motor Company. A period of visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 11 a.m. in the funeral homes chapel. Interment will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens in Roanoke. Pastor Aaron Adkins will officiate. Online condolences to the family may be made at www.johnmoakey.com. The Chandler family is being served by John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem, 540-389-5441.