Charles Edward Chandler

Charles “Happy” Edward Chandler passed from this life peacefully and surrounded by family on September 17, 2025. Happy was born on January 12, 1954, in Cambridgeshire, England to Harry Lee Chandler and Monteen Renew (Johnson).

Happy led an adventurous life, being raised in a military family and traveling all over the world. After earning a degree in air conditioning and refrigeration at George Stone Technical College, he enlisted in the Army where he was a graduate of the Army Corps of Engineers, graduating at the top of his class. On June 22, 1972, he married his high school sweetheart and lifelong partner, Mel Chandler. Following a successful and decorated military career, Happy settled into civilian life and became a student at Jackson College of Ministry while raising a growing family. He continued in the ministry leading worship at his local church and serving as the Youth and Children’s Church Pastor for many years. He was a dynamic singer and speaker who served in any capacity needed. In 1997, Happy launched his own business, C. E. Chandler AC and Heating, where he met so many wonderful people and began teaching the next generation of technicians until his retirement in 2023. Happy’s greatest accomplishment and commitment was his family. You could not have a conversation with him without his wife and daughters being mentioned.

Happy and Mel raised a beautiful family with 4 daughters, Rebecka Lee Walther (Chuck Walther), Rachel Rene Connell (Mickey Connell), Lydia Jeannette McConnell (Joe McConnell) and Nannette June Chandler. Their love multiplied into 8 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, with more on the way. He is survived by his loving wife, Frances “Mel” Melanie Chandler and their 4 daughters, two sisters, Joyce Ann Peaden(Curtis Peaden), Jerry “Tiny” Juanita Reed, and his best friend and brother, Joseph Luther Chandler (Pamela Chandler). He is preceded in death by his father, Harry Lee Chandler, mother, Monteen Renew Johnson, and brother, Gary Lee Chandler.

Service will be held on September 25, 2025, at First Pentecostal Church, 6500 North W Street, Pensacola, FL 32505. Friends and guests will be received by family at 2:00 p.m. followed by a memorial in honor of his legacy at 3:00 p.m.