John William Chandler was born to parents William Woodrow (Bill) Chandler and Lela Ann Coffman Chandler on October 18, 1946 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and he passed on January 5, 2022.
John’s family moved to Tulsa in 1959 which set his course of graduating with the honor of being selected President of the Class of 1964, of Daniel Webster High School, Tulsa, Oklahoma. This set him on a lifelong quest of studying and seeking ever increasing positions requiring leadership and assuming responsibility. Recipient of an Oklahoma University President’s Leadership scholarship, John chose to be commissioned into the Air Force upon his 1968 graduation from OU. While serving in the Air Force, John completed a master’s degree at the Air Force Institute of Technology.
His twenty-year Air Force career exposed him to a tremendous variety of countries and cultures – well beyond anything he envisioned as a child. Final assignments, as a Lieutenant Colonel, included Director of Logistics and Deputy Base Commander Thule Air Base Greenland and then his retiring as Director of Contracts, Aeronautical Systems Program Office Wright-Patterson Air Force Base where he oversaw the purchase of development and manufacture of all new ground equipment and aircraft installed systems that were to be common to two or more weapon systems. After retiring from the Air Force, John moved his family to Fort Worth, Texas and eventually joined the General Dynamics’ (later purchased by Lockheed Martin) F-16 production program as a Contract Administrator. By retirement in 2004, John had reached leadership positions including Director of Contract Management for the F-22 Program, overseeing every aspect of the development, support and contractual incorporation of any modifications, or new acceptance of contractual changes, to the Fort Worth portion of the management of the F-22 Falcon fighter jet program.
Finally at age 57, John fulfilled a dream by purchasing land and having horses which allowed for his wife, Paulette to be “home” in the McKinney area, and eventually lead to the development of many new friendships. His retirement was a joy, with he and Paulette enjoying their relaxed lifestyle including travel, equine pleasures, and his playing with the stock market.
John was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Willa Dean (who lived for only 6 weeks) prior to John’s birth, as well as a large number of Uncles, Aunts, and cousins that were dearly loved and influenced his life greatly.
Survivors include his wife, Paulette; son, Greg Chandler and wife, Heather; step-sons, Chad Garbett and Ryan Garbett and wife, Shannon; two grandchildren, Greyson and Brayden Chandler; and three step-grandchildren, Kinsey, Peyton and Breydon Garbett.
A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, January 13, 2022 at Restland Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75243.
The family will receive friends during a visitation on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013.
Memorial contributions may be made in John’s name to, St. Joseph’s Indian School, PO Box 326, Chamberlain, South Dakota 57326.