Michael Chandler

Michael Wayne Chandler, 59, passed away March 1st doing what he loved, snowmobiling. His love for the snow and mountains was undeniable. Mike was born to Glen “Skip” and Diane (Wamsley) Chandler, on March 3, 1964, in Toppenish, WA. A true Wildcat, graduating class of 1982, he provided encouragement and support to the school and community throughout the years. Toppenish has lost a great man. A third-generation fuel marketer, Mike started working for the family business - Chandler Distributing - at Toppenish’s “The General Store” at the age of 13. This soon led to driving local transport, and then driving hundreds of hours over Snoqualmie Pass as a tanker driver. He was known as “Night Ranger” to friends he made on CB radio. Mike took over full management of Chandler Distributing in 2013, operating both fuel distribution services and three stores, My Brothers Place, The General Store, and Chandler’s Granger Place. If you lived near one of the stores, there’s a possibility that Mike was once your boss. He had the biggest heart and never met a stranger. If you met him once, you were his friend. Mike was a family man and his love for his family was unquestionable. His children and grandson were his pride and joy, and he supported them in all ways that he could. He worked alongside his son, Jake, and was proud to bring him in as the fourth generation of company leadership. Mike spent many hours of “windshield time” talking to his daughter, Raechel, and enjoyed planning his trips to visit her in Nashville. He could be found supporting his son, Tristan, on the lacrosse field, making numerous trips to many states to be on the sideline cheering him on. Then there’s Blake. Oh Blake, his grandson, was his mini-me. Mike cheered him on in all his activities – especially lacrosse – and shared his love for the outdoors. He made sure that all his kids shared his love for the snow and snowmobiling. When he wasn’t working, Mike could be found at his wife’s side, who he loved with all his heart. She was his best friend, his love, and his soulmate. Sharing a love for travel, a love for adventure and a love for living, he and Laura traveled and dreamed of seeing the world together. They shared their experiences on social media, and people wondered how they had the energy to do so much. Mike was deeply committed to his business and his community and was involved in many organizations. He was an active member of the Toppenish Rotary and a Board Member for the Washington Independent Distributors of Energy. He supported the Toppenish Chamber of Commerce, the Toppenish Rodeo, the Central Washington Junior Livestock Show, the Toppenish Mural Society, the United Way of Central Washington, the Capitol Theatre, and the Granger National Night Out. Mike was always happy to help in any way he could. Mike is proceeded in death by his dad, Skip, his sister, Deborah, and his grandparents. He is survived by his wife, Laura, his children Jake (Shannon), Raechel (Gage) and Tristan, his grandson, Blake, his mother, Diane, his brother Curt (Beth), and numerous family and friends who have become family. As he would say, “When in Doubt, Throttle Out”. Services will be held Saturday, March 9, at the Zliiah Cemetery at 12:00pm with a Celebration of Life to follow at Two Mountain Winery at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his name to the Toppenish Mural Society as he wished to have a mural commissioned at the General Store. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Michael Chandler, please visit our flower store.