Dimon Chandler

Services are scheduled at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26, at First United Methodist Church for Lewis Chandler of Artesia, New Mexico.

Mr. Chandler, 77, died Saturday, September 22, 2012 at his home.

Rev. Monty Leavell will officiate at the services with burial at Woodbine Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Arvin Kinnibrugh, Lex Klein, Greg Murrill, Kevin Wilson, Mark McCaleb, and Jeff Youtsey. Honorary Pallbearers will be Johnny C. Gray, Doug Simer, Mack Chase, Jim Wadkins, Chris Trew, Bill Mershon, Bob Powell, Owen Puckett, George Moreau, Jimmy Davis, Randy Kinnibrugh, Tracy Kinnibrugh, and Harry Murdock, Sr.

Visitation will be at Terpening Son Mortuary Tuesday beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Lewis was born January 30, 1935 in Lindsey, Oklahoma the son of Grady Charlie Chandler and Lela Arbeda Graham Chandler. He came to Artesia in 1945 from Oklahoma.

Lewis served eight years with the Army National Guard.

On Nov. 29, 1963 he was married to Barbara Dunnam in Artesia.

His first job was a gravedigger at Woodbine Cemetery then his father took him to the oil fields where he finished his working career. Lewis held many jobs before retiring in 2008 as a Production Foreman. During his career he worked for Booker, Davis, and D.A and S. Well Services, Sinclair Oil, Arco Oil and Gas, and Marbob Energy. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, past president of the Valley Lions Club, and a lifetime member B.P.O.E. 1717 of Artesia. He was also an avid Artesia Bulldog, Dallas Cowboy, and O.U. Sooners fan.

If you knew Lewis, you loved Lewis. He was known for his gentle, kind, and loving nature. Lewis adored his family and his many friends including Marilyn, Regina, Effie Jo, and Eva Sue whom he has known since Jr. High. He was devistated at the passing of his Buddy John R. Gray. Lewis loved music and dancing. He was as smooth as glass on the dance floor where he and Barbara fell in love. He enjoyed many trips to Las Vegas, traveling to the Mule Races and later the horse races with Mack and Marilyn Chase, and most importantly he loved attending his sons events from baseball to football games, he never missed an event. It was also very important for Lewis to attend his grandchildrens events from livestock shows and football games to band concerts and dance recitals. Lewis was a treasured man and will sorely be missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Henry Chandler.

Survivors include his wife Barbara Chandler of the family home sons Baron Chandler and wife Susan of Artesia, and Darin Chandler of Artesia brother Doug Chandler and wife Terry of Carlsbad, N.M. sister Emalene Terrel of Mt. Pleasant, Arkansas sisterinlaw Regina Chandler of Farmington, N.M. grandchildren Kelsey ChandlerPanzer, Lauren Segura, Tara Chandler, and Lewis Michael Chandler numerous nieces and nephews and his dog Chelsey, who was his longtime companion.