John Patrick “Pat” Chandler, 70, of Bainbridge Island, Wash., died March 30, 2009, at the University of Washington Hospital surrounded by family and friends.
Friends are invited to a celebration of Pat’s life at the Kiana Lodge, Sandy Hook Road N.E. in Poulsbo, Wash., on April 19, 2009, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Born September 30, 1938, at Baker City to Orville and Bell Armstrong Chandler, Pat was the third of four siblings to grow up on the family cattle ranch in the beautiful foothills of the Elkhorn Mountains.
As a youngster, Pat shared in the arduous work of the ranch along with the rest of the family and hunted, fished and skied when time allowed. He attended Muddy Creek Grade School and graduated from North Powder High School.
Growing up on the ranch instilled the work ethic, good character, uncommon common sense and the dry sense of humor, which served Pat well all of his life. He attended Oregon State University at Corvallis and graduated in 1961 with a degree in business.
In 1966, Pat married the love of his life, Patsy Samarron, whom he loved from the moment they met until his last breath on earth. He worked for Union Oil Co. and State Farm Insurance in Portland and Salem and received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1968.
In 1974 the couple moved from Salem back to Eastern Oregon where Pat managed the family ranch and became a building contractor while Patsy worked in a law office and furthered her education at Eastern Oregon University in La Grande.
In 1985, Pat and Patsy moved to Bainbridge Island where Pat established himself as a first-rate building contractor and Patsy continued her career as a paralegal in Seattle. Pat designed, built and remodeled many homes during his successful career including his and Patsy’s home and several rentals on Bainbridge Island.
In addition, he designed and built a new ranch house on the family ranch property at Haines, which he then managed as a vacation rental.
In 2003, Pat was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer and given only months to live. Pat quickly retired from contracting and focused his energies on enjoying his remaining time and learning about his disease and possible alternative treatments.
He enrolled in an experimental treatment program at the University of Washington where he experienced fantastic results enabling him to enroll in additional experimental programs. He occasionally joked about being a “stunt double for a lab rat,” but his success in beating prostate cancer was nothing short of spectacular.
In 2007 Pat was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis which he managed for several years, but to which he eventually succumbed.
Pat enjoyed life. He fished, hunted, golfed, windsurfed, skied and backpacked. A wicked bridge and chess player, avid reader and great conversationalist, Pat loved to socialize, had many true and faithful friends and enjoyed a busy social life.
He cared about his peers, the workers, the heart and soul of our country. In his last six years he began writing an e-mail column, which evolved into an insightful blog gaining readership with each passing year.
In his blog, Pat commented on politics, human interest and other observations of his active mind. Though enthusiastically supporting the Democratic Party in the last election, he was more a populist than a liberal.
Pat always lived within his means and was frugal with resources. He loved to travel, but didn’t pay much attention to the make of car he drove, and was typically seen with his beloved dog by his side whether at work or play.
Through six years of battling two terminal medical conditions, Pat never became discouraged about his condition or the cards he was dealt. Instead, he was thankful to have been born in his time and place, thankful for having met and married Patsy and happy for any more time he could get in this world. In sum, Pat was an unpretentious, excellent man.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Daniel.
Survivors include his wife, Patsy Chandler of Bainbridge Island; his sister, Joan Fowler of Hood River; his sister, Janet Hulegaard of Santa Clara, Calif.; and numerous nieces and nephews and their spouses and children.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, P. O. Box 19023, Seattle, WA 98109-1023, “in memory of John Patrick Chandler.”
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, April 08, 2009
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor