Mark Steven Chandler

Baskin Robbins lost a loyal customer on May 5, 2025. Mark Steven Chandler, born in Oakland, California November 29, 1949, to Troy and Rose Chandler, passed away in the comfort and care of his family and the Hospice staff. Having grown up in a Navy household, both parents having served during WWII, Mark followed the familial expectations to serve his country during the Vietnam War. Mark met his beautiful wife Kathryn in Arizona and started a family that for a while didn't have an end in sight! A family that started with two people, madly in love, grew to nine. Mark was happiest when he was able to spend time with his family and kids scout troops, hiking through the southwest and camping with his family and kid's scout troops. He was easy to talk to and quickly made lifelong friends with many people throughout the years. Mark graduated from Mesa College with a degree in horticulture and owned his own landscape business ‘A Mark of Excellence’ for many years. Mark decided (maybe due to the Arizona heat) to go back to school at age 50 and graduated from ASU with a nursing degree and dedicated much of his medical career working with a team to develop Flagstaff's NICU/PICU team. He had a reputation for nurturing a lighthearted atmosphere at the hospital, cheering up children with goofy faces and his warm, infectious laughter. After moving to Phoenix, Mark spent a great deal of his time volunteering with Northwest Valley Connect, supporting his wife's career goals, making positive change for his community.

Over the last decade, Mark struggled with Parkinson's and dementia. His love of music was nurtured by joining the Tremble Clefs, a Parkinson's choir group. When the opportunity to participate in medical studies on Parkinson's presented themselves, he was very willing to join in the pursuit of medical understanding and advancement, including an end-of-life study.

Mark loved spending time with his grandkids, and lit up with a huge smile whenever any of them came into the room. Mark is survived by his wife, Kathryn Chandler, and by his children: Amanda Nichols (Ryan Nichols), Samantha McOwen (Shane McOwen), Paul Chandler (Karli Chandler), Mark Lawrence Chandler, Millicent Chandler, Veronica Chandler. And his Grandchildren: Sam Nichols, Audrey Chandler (Kayla Leandro), Porter Chandler, Keaton Chandler and Malcolm McOwen.

Mark will be missed.

‘In sorrow we must go, but not in despair. Behold! We are not bound forever to the circles of the world, and beyond them is more than a memory’. Tolkien

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Tremble Clefs – a nonprofit Parkinson’s singing organization.

https://trembleclefsarizona.org/