Wayne Chambers

ODESSA -- Wayne Chambers, age 84, of Odessa, Texas, passed away Saturday June 23, 2007 at his home.

Wayne was born on February 15, 1923 in Cotton County, Oklahoma to the late Howard and Ruby Cobb Chambers. He proudly served in the Merchant Marines during World War II where he met the love of his life, Nancy Gronow, on V-J Day, August 15, 1945. They were married fifteen days later in Cardiff, South Wales.

Following World War II, Wayne and Nancy returned to America where Wayne embarked upon a thirteen-year career with Phillips Oil Company, living and working primarily in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. In 1960, they settled in Odessa, Texas with their two children and began a family business owning and operating apartment properties. Wayne was devoted to his wife, children, and grandchildren to whom he passed along his thirst for knowledge. He was an avid follower of politics and current events, and always shared his latest discoveries.

Wayne loved adventure travel to exotic locales around the world, ranging from the Serengeti to the Galapagos Islands, from Angkor Wat to the Taj Majal, from the Great Wall of China to the pyramids of Giza. Twelve years ago, on their Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary, Wayne, Nancy, and all of their children and grandchildren traveled back to South Wales for a family celebration.

Wayne was preceded in death by his sister, Peggy Jean Chambers, of Tulsa, Oklahoma and his infant granddaughter, Courtney Lorraine Bonner. Survivors include his wife, Nancy Chambers; son, Steven Wayne Chambers, and wife, Renee of Odessa; daughter, Sandra Lorraine Chambers Perryman, and husband, Ray of Odessa; and eight grandchildren, Curtis Wayne Chambers, Stephanie Rene Chambers, Skye Lynn Perryman, Brooke LoRae Chambers, Bethany Rae Perryman, Bryan Ray Perryman, Matthew Blake Perryman, and Meredith Grace Perryman.

The family will receive friends from 6:00pm to 8:00pm Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. Following a private family burial, a memorial service to celebrate Wayne's life will be held at 2:00pm on Thursday, June 28, 2007 at First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Nora Fitch officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Permian Basin Rehabilitation Center, 620 N. Alleghaney, Odessa, Texas 79761, and The Education Foundation, P.O. Box 951, Odessa, Texas 79760. Arrangements are under the direction of Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.