Jerome Lewis Chandler

Chandler, Jerome Lewis, passed away on Saturday, July 23, 2011, at the age of 80. Jerome was born on September 16, 1930, to Charles Jerome and Alice Cromwell Chandler in Wichita, KS. Chandler was raised in a Christian home, and that guidance from his parents was the direction he followed throughout his life. In 1948, he enrolled at Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS and joined the fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Soon after, he met his future wife and lifelong sole-mate, Lois Gillan. Jerome and Lois were married on May 27, 1951, and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this past May. Jerome graduated with honors in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. After graduation, Jerome served a 2-year tour of active duty as an officer in the United States Air Force. Following in his Chandler Family legacy, Jerome's banking career started in Wichita and then Cherokee, OK. After his military duty, he went to work for his Uncle, George T. Chandler at the First National Bank in Pratt, KS. Jerome and Lois then moved to Sterling, KS with their children in May, 1958, where he became Chief Executive Officer of The Farmers State Bank, The Farmers State Insurance Agency, and Coronado, Inc., a financial holding company. For the next 35 years, Mr. Chandler served as Chairman, President, and Director of all three entities until his retirement in December, 1993. In addition to his duties at the bank, Jerome was also actively involved with Sterling College. In 1960, he was elected Chairman of the Board of Trustees, a position that he held for 22 years. He served on the Board of Directors of Associated Colleges of Central Kansas, and was a director of the Kansas Foundation for Private Colleges. In 1970, Jerome was honored by Sterling College with the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters. While in Sterling, Mr. Chandler was active in numerous other institutions in the banking, education, and insurance industries. He was the Financial Advisor for the National Junior College Athletic Association for 21 years and received the NJCAA Meritorious Service Award. He served for 13 years on the Insurance Protection Commission for Kansas Bankers Association and 10 years with the American Bankers Association, chairing the Community Bankers Association, and was a member of the Governing Council, Management Skills Taskforce, and Government Relations Council. Jerome was also a Thesis Advisor and Examiner for Stonier Graduate School of Banking, Rutgers University. He taught at the Basic School of Banking, University of Nebraska for 15 years, served a 3-year term as a National Director for the Kansas State Alumni Association and served on the Kansas State University Foundation for 50 years. For 21 years, he served as a visiting professor for Kansas State University teaching the course, Rural Bank Operations. Upon his retirement in 1993, Jerome and his wife moved to Tucson, AZ on a permanent basis. Since 1994, Jerome devoted his time, interests and talents to Northminster Presbyterian Church with faithfulness and great joy. He served as an Elder, chaired fund raising efforts, served as usher captain, and was a member of the planning committee. He was particularly fond of the annual Scottish Heritage Celebration. Jerome loved his family and was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, C. Q. Chandler III. Jerome is survived by his wife, Lois of the home; daughter Kim (Julio Silva), grandson (Jason Chandler Silva), Danville, CA; son C. Jerome II (Jackie), Tucson; sister-in-law Georgia J Chandler, Wichita, KS; uncle Anderson W. Chandler, Topeka, KS; and many extended family members and longtime friends. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, August 12, 2011 at 10:00 a.m., Northminster Presbyterian Church, 2450 East Fort Lowell Road, Tucson, AZ. In lieu of flowers and to honor Mr. Chandler's life, memorials have been established as follows: Jerome L. Chandler Memorial Fund c/o Northminster Presbyterian Church, 2450 East Fort Lowell Road, Tucson, AZ 85719-2418, The Kansas Society for Children With Challenges, 106 West Douglas, Suite 900, Wichita, KS 67202, and the Lois G. and Jerome L. Chandler Scholarship in Human Ecology, c/o Kansas State University Foundation, 2323 Anderson Avenue, Suite 500, Manhattan, KS 66502-2911. Arrangements by Bring's Memorial Chapel, 236 S. Scott Ave. Tucson, AZ, 85701, 520-623-4718.