Dr. Gordon Harold Chandler, Sr., age 89, of Huntsville, AL, died peacefully in the early morning hours on August 29, 2022, at Huntsville Hospital with Hazel, his wife of 70 years, by his side.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Crestwood Funeral Home, Gadsden AL, on Saturday, September 3, 2022. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM-12:00 noon, followed by the Funeral Service at 12:00 noon with Dr. Travis Collins officiating.

Harold was a proud graduate of Auburn University and of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville KY. He served as pastor of Pine Bower Baptist Church, Cedartown GA, (1955-57) and of Paden Baptist Church in East Gadsden, AL (1957-1981). He became Director of Missions of Calhoun Baptist Association in 1981, and the Director of Missions of Madison Baptist Association in 1989. They started an average of a new church each year for the next 11 years.

As chairman of the history committee for Madison Baptist Association, Harold authored "A Brief History of Early Settlers and the Liberty Baptist Association (1838-1924)" and "Historical Highlights (1950-2000)" for the 175th Anniversary of the Madison Baptist Association, Huntsville AL.

Following retirement, he served for several years as the English pastor to children and adults at Huntsville (Korean) Baptist Church. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Huntsville AL, where he served as chairman of the missions committee, on the leadership council and as Sunday School teacher. As an active member of The Huntsville Rotary Club, he and fellow Rotarians made a positive impact within the community and around the world.

Harold's passion for learning and teaching manifested itself throughout his life – through church ministries, associational ministries and as director and teacher for 20 years in the Extension Division of Samford University.

He included historical stops during family vacations and took the grandkids on special trips when they visited. He loved to travel and visited 29 countries on 5 continents, many of which were on mission trips where he preached and visited with missionaries.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon Russell Chandler and Kathleen Maudie (Greene) Chandler, brother Dr. Gerald Chandler. He is survived by his wife, Hazel B. Chandler, 2 children – Cathy Chandler of Baton Rouge LA; and Gordon Harold Chandler, Jr. (Joan) of Huntsville AL; 4 grandchildren – Stephanie Ezell (Leonard) of Baton Rouge LA, Christopher Duke (Lindsay) of Ann Arbor MI, Justin Chandler (Kaylah) of Southside AL, and Loren Richards (Mathew) of Gadsden AL,10 great grandchildren and brothers, Dr. Charles Chandler, Dr. Glen Chandler and Dr. Jerry Chandler

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The American Heart Association or to the charity of your choice.

Special thanks to Dr. Joseph L. Randall, Jr., Dr. Joseph P. Hicks, Dr. Michael M. Butler, Dr. Richard L. Clay and the staff at Huntsville Hospital CCU 1, and to his pastoral minister, Dr. Travis Collins.