Winford "Spud" Chandler

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.