Donald Ray Chandler

On Thursday, June 5, 2014, Donald Ray Chandler, 66 of Asheville, NC was called home after an extended battle with illness. Mr. Chandler was a decorated U.S. Army veteran, having earned the Purple Heart and Bronze Star while serving two tours in Vietnam. He is preceded in death by his parents, Elsie Payne Chandler and Shuford Jenkins Chandler. He is survived by his wife, Sherry DeWeese Chandler, of Asheville; one son, Donald Steven Chandler and his daughter-in-law Jaimi White Chandler, of Asheville. He is also survived by four step-grandchildren, Ashley, Christy, Kaitlyn and Adam Campbell, of Asheville; and four step-great-grandchildren; three brothers and two sisters. A funeral service for Mr. Chandler will be held at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery Chapel on Monday at 12:00 p.m. with his brother-in-law, Rev. Dr. Charles DeWeese officiating. Interment will follow in the cemetery. Military honors will be performed by the North Carolina National Guard Honor Guard. His family will receive friends from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. prior to the service at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club, 750 Haywood Rd., Asheville, NC 28806, (828) 255-0266.