Jay Chandler, age 82, peacefully passed at his home in Steptoe on January 6, 2019. He was the second son of three to Richard P Chandler and Phyllis Harding Chandler. He was born in Asotin Washington on July 30, 1936. Jay was thrust into active outdoor life until he graduated from Colville High School in 1955. Soon after, he joined the United States Navy and served on the USS Polk Country and took part in the Korean War stabilization. After he got out of the Navy, he was quickly introduced to Janet Rae Hedrick by his father "Dick", and later was married on November 24, 1960 in Colville.

They briefly made their home in Spokane where they had two sons Brad and Brian. Jay started an active "handy man" business. In 1967, the family moved to the Steptoe\Colfax area where Jay worked at Jones Truck & Implement and Arrow Machinery. His true calling came as a warehouseman for WSU. He would travel around the state collecting and selling state and federal surplus property. Where he stated, "this was the best job in the world for me." He considered himself "a glorified junk dealer". The couple retired in 1991 and started snowbirding, eventually ending up in Bouse, Arizona seasonally.

Jay enjoyed shooting sports; he was a member of many gun clubs, War Eagles and Round Belly. While as a member of Elks he paired up with Colfax Jaycee's and coached the youth BB gun competition team.  He was a founder of the Palouse Hills Muzzle loading club and he taught gun safety for over 12 years. Jay was a member of the Grange for 57 years.

Jay will be remembered as a devoted husband, father and grandfather who enjoyed telling his life stories and some jokes, He loved going to yard sales, wheeling and dealing. He also was an expert at re-purposing materials, a man of many talents. Above all he was a man of principles who enjoyed meeting new people, talking to everyone and making friends.

He is survived by his wife Janet, his son Brad (Shelia) Chandler and daughter-in-law, Dana Chandler. Grandkids: Amanda (Kyle) Hair, Jennette (Bill) Weeks, Jaylene Pief, Meghan Chandler, Step-Grandkids: Thomas II (Kendal) Curtis, Toasha (Tucker) Lierman, Sherye (Dennis) Bates, Michelle Stedman, Amy (Cory) Mclean, Valicity (Christian) Becker and 16 great grandchildren along with many friends who considered him as their Papa too.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Max and David and his son Brian.

A potluck memorial reception to celebrate Jay's life will be held on 19 January 2019 in Steptoe Washington, Grange Hall at noon. Final rest will be at Steptoe cemetery.

Memorial donations are suggested to the Shriner's Hospital.