James "Jim" Allan Chandler

James “Jim” Allan Chandler, age 72, of Camden, TN, passed away from lung cancer at Alive Hospice in Nashville, TN, on November 29, 2025. Born in Dodge City, Kansas, Jim lived a life full of adventure, kindness, and dedication to family and community.

Jim was predeceased by his beloved wife, Josephine Rita Chandler (Sexton); his daughter, Shelley Volling; his father, Eddie Clarence Chandler; his mother, Betty Chandler (Winsor); his brothers, Leonard Chandler and Randy Chandler; and his nephew, Joey Chandler. He is survived by his daughter, Kim (Jeff) Christoffersen; grandsons, Arthur, Nicholas, and Zachary (Skye) Christoffersen; granddaughter, Amanda (Brent) Vance; grandson, Brandon (Desirae) Anderson; his brother, Eddie Gene Chandler; nephews, Chris, Nick, and Christopher L. Chandler; and niece, Ashley Chandler. Jim is also survived and loved by his Sexton in-laws who have been a tremendous support throughout the past 6 years since his wife, Josie, passed away.

Jim was also a proud great-grandfather. Through Amanda, he is survived by great-grandchildren Hailie & Joshua Young and Dean & Reva Vance; through Brandon, by great-grandchildren Elijah & Sinnette Anderson.

Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving as a paratrooper and rigger. He met Josie shortly after and they married in 1978, becoming a family with her young daughters, Kim and Shelley. For 20 years, Jim operated his auto upholstery business in Illinois and Tennessee, with some of his restoration work featured in Hot Rod magazine. After moving to Camden, Jim worked for Cole Pallet Company for another 20 years. He was a talented artist and an adventurous spirit, earning a hang-gliding certification while living in Knoxville. Jim enjoyed traveling to Kansas and Oklahoma for annual family reunions, and to Florida, Ohio, and Illinois to visit his children and grandchildren. His hobbies included playing pool, fishing, camping, caring for his horses, Tater and Bella, and riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle as much as possible. Throughout his life, Jim and his late wife Josie mentored and cared for many family members who had fallen on hard times.

Jim never met a stranger and was always eager to share funny jokes and stories. He was curious to find new places to explore wherever he went. Most recently, he rode his Harley to Knoxville to camp and visit his brother, Eddie Gene, and nephews, Chris, Nick, and Christopher. During that same weekend, he rode to Asheville to visit the World of Wheels Museum, simply because he could. He loved to read, learn, and explore, especially anything involving mechanics and history.

A celebration of life will be held in Camden on Saturday, January 10, 2026. Details will be shared when finalized.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Alive Hospice, 1718 Patterson Street, Nashville, TN 37203 (please note donor name(s), who the gift is in memory/honor of, and the name and address of honoree or loved one of the deceased), or to Horse Plus Humane Society, P.O. Box 485, Hohenwald, TN, 38462 (https://horseplus.org/donate/).