Winford “Spud” Chandler, 73 of Poteau,
OK passed away Saturday, July 7,
2012 in Poteau. Winford was born
September 27, 1938 in Poteau to W.S. and Ethel (Gassaway) Chandler.
Winford was an outstanding athlete, even obtaining a full ride baseball
scholarship to Oklahoma
State University. After Graduating OSU, Winford took his first
job as a successful baseball and basketball coach for the Ft. Leonard
Wood-Waynesville School System. There he led the Tigers for the next eight
years. In 1966 Spud accepted a coaching
position for the Poteau
Vikings Junior
College ball clubs. Two years later, Winford returned to Ft. Leonard
Wood-Waynesville School
System as the athletic director.
In 1976, Winford accepted a high school principal position in St. James, MO. In 1978 Spud made the decision to move his
family back to Oklahoma and accept the
position of high school principal in Wewoka,
OK. In 1981, Winford accepted the superintendent
position in Clayton, OK.
Three years later Winford accepted his final position of Asst.
Superintendent of Poteau Public Schools, underneath the direction of Dr. Bert
Corr, which he held until his retirement in 1994. He married Carolyn Murfin in 1959 in Cushing, OK. To that union was added five children. Winford was preceded in death by his parents;
son, Steve Chandler; grandsons, Mikal Morphis and Colton Samuels.
He is survived by
his wife, Carolyn Murfin Chandler of Poteau; Daughters, Kecia Chandler-Johnson
and son in law, Bradford Johnson of Poteau; Mia Miller of Poteau; Lydia Brown
of Ft. Smith, AR, Natasha Samuels of Poteau; daughter in law, Charlene Smith of
Poteau; mother in law, Lavina Quigg of
Poteau; 6 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; other relatives & loved
ones ; many beloved friends.
Services will be
held 10 am, Wednesday July 11, 2012 at
the Poteau Church of Christ with Bro. Don Cherry & Bob Marchant officiating. Burial will follow at Monroe
Cemetery, Monroe, OK.
Pallbearere will be
Zach Chandler, Zach Jones, Brad Johnson, Damon Brown, J.D. Cook, & Cody
Blaylock. Honorary pallbearers will be
Coy Simpson & Randy Lum.
The family will be
at the funeral home on Tuesday evening from 6-8 pm to visit with relatives
& friends.
In lieu of flowers,
contributions may be made at Community State Bank where an athletic scholarship
fund for Poteau High School
Students has been established in honor of Winford.