Mr. Avery Willard Chandler Jr.

CHANDLER JR., Mr. Avery Willard - Age 72, passed away Sunday, June 7, 2015 at Hurley Medical Center. Family hour 10 a.m. Saturday, June 13, 2015 at Foss Ave. Missionary Baptist Church, 1159 E. Foss Ave., with funeral service commencing at 11 a.m. Rev. Reginald G. Flynn officiating. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10 a.m. Saturday. Mr. Chandler will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12 p.m. - 8 p.m. Friday. Mr. Avery W. Chandler, Jr. was born October 12, 1942 the son of Avery W. Chandler, Sr. and Miriam E. Perkins. He was the second oldest of 7 siblings. The family grew up in Marion, Indiana. Avery graduated from Marion High school, where he won Varsity letters in football, wrestling and track. He excelled in academics as well and went on to earn both Bachelor and Master degrees from ball State University and the University of Michigan. Avery taught science at Bryant Middle School in the Flint Community School District, was employed as Housing Director for the Flint Urban League, and retired from Mott Community College after 25 years of service as an Affirmative Action Officer. Upon arriving in Flint, he and his wife united with Foss Ave. Baptist Church, under the leadership of Reverend Avery Aldridge. Avery was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and served on the Board of Directors for numerous community organizations. In 1965 Avery met Barbara Ann Patricia Martin. The couple married in 1967 and spent 47 years together, making Flint their home. They were blesses with 2 children: daughter, Christine and son, Christopher. Avery was a devoted family man. He and other family members often rallied in support of efforts by siblings, cousins, or children of the family to pursue academic, economic and other advancement opportunities. Avery was committed to the advancement of those around him. He dedicated himself to life-long learning. Avery spent much of his life meeting and attempting to understand people of all walks of life. His curiosity took him to many states in this country, parts of Western Europe, Japan, and China of the East. He took great pleasure sharing insights developed and in connecting people to other people. Mr. Avery W. Chandler, Jr. leaves to cherish his memory a loving wife, Barbara; children, Christine and Christopher; granddaughters, Sydnei and Kyndyll; sisters, Linda Dyson and Susan Williams; brothers, Phillip Chandler, David (Carlease) Chandler, and Patrick (Staci) Chandler; 2 god-children, Marie Wilds and Dr. Christopher Jordan; numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws, and family friends. Mr. Avery W. Chandler, Jr. was preceded in death by both his mother and father, Miriam E. and Avery W. Chandler Sr.; sister, Elizabeth; nephew, Terry L. Dyson; in-laws, Reverend B. F. and Mrs. Hilda Martin. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be given to the Foss Avenue Scholarship Fund in memory of Mr. Avery W. Chandler, Jr. THE HOUSE BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD There are hermit souls that life withdrawn, In the place of their self-content; There are souls like stars, that dwell apart, In a fellowless firmament; There are pioneer souls that blaze the paths Where highways never ran- But let me live by the side of the road And be a friend to man. Let me live in a house by the side of the road Where the race of men go by- The men who are good and the men who are bad, As good and as bad as I. I would not side in the scorner’s seat Nor hurl the cynic’s ban- Let me live in a house by the side of the road And be a friend to man. I see from my house by the side of the road By the side of the highway of life, The men who press with the ardor of hope, The men who are faint with the strife, But I turn not away from their smiles and tears, Let me live in a house by the side of the road And be a friend to man. I know there are brook-gladdened meadows ahead, And mountains of wearisome height; That the road passes on through the long afternoon And stretches away to the night. And still I rejoice when the travelers rejoice And weep with the strangers that moan, Nor live in my house by the side of the road Like a man who dwells alone. Let me live in my house by the side of the road, Where the race of men go by- They are good, they are bad, they are weak, they are strong, Wise, foolish – so am I. Then why should I sit in the scorner’s seat, Or hurl the cynic’s ban? Let me live in my house by the side of the road And be a friend to man. - Sam Walter Foss

Mr. Avery Willard Chandler Jr.

October 12, 1942 - June 7, 2015