Rev. James Harmon Chandler went to his eternal reward on Thursday, Apr. 16, 2020 at the age of 74. He was born on Thursday, Aug. 2, 1945 to his late parents, Judson Harmon and Bertha Anne (Perry) Chandler.
In January of 1974, he married the love of his life, Nina Gwen Gay. They shared 37 years of loving marriage before she preceded him in death in October of 2011. Rev. Chandler was also preceded in death by his two older brothers, William Derrell Chandler and Marvin Marshall Chandler.
He is survived by two sons, Jason Chandler and wife Sheila of DeQuincy and Chris Chandler and wife Jennifer of Wichita, Kan.; one daughter, Melissa Snyder and husband Clint of DeQuincy; six grandchildren, Ashley, Leighana, Caden, Ian, William, and Anna; one sister, Elizabeth McQuiddy of Winnfield; along with numerous family and friends.
Rev. Chandler joined the United States Navy in June 1964. He was given an honorable medical discharge approximately a month later. He began his career in 1966 or 1967 when he joined the Ouachita Parish Fire Department.
Rev. Chandler then heard the truth and saw his need for salvation. He repented of his sins, was baptized in Jesus’ name, and received the baptism of the Holy Ghost at Jordan Hill in June of 1967. After marriage, he attended church in West Monroe. While there, he went to Texas Bible College taught by his Pastor, Reverend Fred Foster. He also taught approximately 30 3-year-olds in Sunday School each Sunday.
In 1978, Rev. Chandler felt the call of God to pastor a home missions work in Great Bend, Kan. He left his home, career, family, and friends to follow God’s call. While in Great Bend, he worked for God and raised his family. Besides pastoring the First United Pentecostal Church of Great Bend, he also ministered at Larned Mental Health Correctional Facility on Saturdays and Barton County Correctional Facility on Sundays between services. He also worked building grain trailers and dry freight trailers for 18 wheelers for about seven years. After that, he drove and performed maintenance for USD 428 school buses and vans for about 13 years.
His hobbies included gardening, hunting, and fishing when he could fit them in. In 2000, Rev. Chandler moved to Iola, Kan. to assist the work of God there. While there, he also worked as a custodian at Allen Community College. He fully retired back to Louisiana in 2010, moving to DeQuincy and attending Harvest Family Church in Fields. He became a resident at High Hope Care Center in Sulphur in 2015.
Rev. Chandler loved his pastor, Rev. Terry Lee and his church family. He also loved his grandchildren and enjoyed every visit. He will be greatly missed.
A Celebration of Rev. Chandler’s life will be held at a later date. Services have been entrusted to Jordan and Amanda Mothershed at Hixson-Snider Funeral Home, 205 E. Harrison St, DeQuincy.
Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonsnider.com.
(Paid Memorial)
