Daniel Chandler (1-19-13)

DALTON - Daniel Chandler, 88, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away Saturday, January 19, 2013, at Hamilton Medical Center following complications from a stroke.

He was born September 10, 1924, in Monroe, and grew up on the Chandler family farm in Banks County, near Commerce. He was the son of Curtis Eugene Chandler Sr. and Rachel Breedlove.

Mr. Chandler left the family farm to join the United States Army Air Corps at the height of World War II. He did basic training in Pensacola, Fla. and New Jersey before being sent to Norwich, England, where he was stationed for his service. He flew as a tail gunner in a B-24 in bombing missions over Germany, and was promoted to Staff Sergeant. He was honorably discharged at the end of the war, and then enrolled at the University of Georgia, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1948.

Mr. Chandler married Janell Massey of Commerce in 1948, and later moved to Dalton to join his uncle in business at Patcraft Carpets, where he helped build Dalton's carpet industry. After many years at Patcraft, he started Daniel's Carpets, and finished his career in the carpet industry in the late 1980s. He then returned to his agriculture roots and started his second career at Hubbs Garden Center, later The Barn Nursery. Mr. Chandler reluctantly retired at age 85 from the working life.

Mr. Chandler was a longstanding member and deacon of First Baptist Church of Dalton, and was a founding member of the Men's Prayer Breakfast in the 1970s. He was well known for writing many, many cards with encouraging words to people in need all over the world.

Survivors include his wife, Janell Massey Chandler; a daughter, Susan Chandler Lumpkin and son-in-law Dr. William H. Lumpkin, III, Dalton; son, Jeff Chandler and daughter-in-law, Donna Morea, Royal Oak, Md.; grandchildren, Jane Elizabeth Lumpkin, Dalton, David Lee and Caroline Gillis Lumpkin, Rome, Emily Chandler and Hiram Navarette, Easton, Md., and Adam Chandler, Falls Church, Va.; great-granddaughter, Julia Chandler Lumpkin, Rome; twin sister, Dorothy Harber, Searce, Ark., Reuben Chandler and wife Gladys Chandler, Atlanta, Philip Chandler and wife Peggy Chandler, Rome; Lita Chandler, wife of the late Curtis Eugene Chandler, Jr.; brother-in-law, Norman Massey, Roanoke, Va.; sister-in-law, Everett Massey, Commerce; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, January 21, from the First Baptist Church with the Rev. Phillip Cannon officiating. Burial will follow in West Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends in the Atrium of the Church from noon until the funeral hour at 2 p.m.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials d may be made to the First Baptist Church, c/o Men's Prayer Breakfast, P.O. Box 827, Dalton, GA 30722-0827.

Words of comfort may be sent to the family at lovefuneralhomega.com.

Love Funeral Home, Dalton, is in charge of arrangements.