Webster Chandler Jr.

Family-Placed Death Notice

CHANDLER, Webster, Jr. Dr. Webster Allen Chandler Jr., age 96, of Griffin, passed way, Saturday, June 4, 2011 at his residence. Dr. Chandler was born in Newton, Massachusetts on September 17, 1914. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Botany from Massachusetts State College in 1937 and his Masters degree in Plant Pathology from Cornell University in 1940. It was at Cornell that he met his future wife, Margaret Elizabeth Dole. They were married on December 22, 1941 in Albany, N.Y.. Web spent the next 5 years as an officer in the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps, and was stationed in late 1944 to the Pacific Theatre where he served on Guam until the end of WWII. He achieved the rank of 1st Lieutenant and was honorably discharged in 1946. After the war, Dr. Chandler took a position at Penn State University's Plant Pathology Department, working and studying until 1955, when he received his Ph.D. In 1955 he accepted a position at the Georgia Experiment Station in the Plant Pathology Department, where he spent the next 26 years working to improve cultivation and disease control practices on fruit trees. He retired in 1981. After retirement, Web increased significantly his work as a community volunteer, giving tirelessly of his time and resources to many different organizations, including the Civitan Club, Golden K, and Adult Literacy. He drove cancer patients to Atlanta for their treatments for many years, and spent 35 years delivering Meals on Wheels, only giving it up in his 90's. With his wife Peggy, he volunteered at Spalding Regional Hospital Hospitality desk, giving over 4000 hours of service. In his "spare" time he bought a piece of land in Orchard Hill and planted a peach orchard entirely by hand. He operated the orchard for 15 years and earned the nickname, "Mr. Peach" from his many satisfied customers. Dr. Chandler was a long standing and active member of First Presbyterian Church, having been its oldest member at the time of his death. Survivors include his beloved wife of 70 years, Margaret (Peggy) Elizabeth Chandler; son, Randall Allen Chandler of Brooks, Ga.; daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Kent Antley of Atlanta; grandchildren, Wesley and Jordan Chandler, Anna Chandler, John and Trey Evans; great-grandchildren, Jaxon and Jagger Chandler. Funeral services for Dr. Webster Allen Chandler will be held on Wednesday June 8, 2011 at 10:00 AM in the chapel of Haisten McCullough Funeral Home. Rev. Tim Dalstom will officiate. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. Friends may visit the family on Tuesday, June 7, 2011, from 6-8 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family request that donation be made to Meals on Wheels, or the Adult Literacy Program. To pay condolences online to the family, please do so at www.haistenmccullough.com. Haisten McCullough Funeral Home, 1155 Everee Inn Rd. is in charge of arrangements. DR. WEBSTER ALLEN CHANDLER, JR.