Headley Samuel Chambers

brother-in-law and friend and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Headley passed away on September 18, 2016, in El Dorado Hills,

California, at the young age of 55.

Born in Puerto Rico on November 18, 1960, Headley began his journey

through life. He was the second of five children and only son to Barbara and

Headley Chambers. He was a loving and protective brother to his four sisters,

Barbara (aka Genie also born in Puerto Rico), Cheryl, Renee and Sonya.

Headley was affectionately referred to by his sisters and Mother as “Jr”. In the

summer of 1961, the family moved from Puerto Rico to Riverside, California,

where it was home to Headley except for brief stays in the Philippines at Clark

Air Force Base 1969-1971, and in Brindisi, Italy at San Vito dei Normanni AF

Base in 1977.

In 1978, Headley took up residence in Sacramento, California where he

attended California State University, Sacramento from 1978-1983. There, he

ran Track and Field his freshman year and was a member of the Men’s Basketball

team for 4 years. He was a phenomenal player and well known for his

hustle. Headley still holds two records at Sacramento State in steals for both

single-season and in program history.

In September of 1978, while at Sac State, Headley met the love of his life,

Nedra (aka ”My Girl”). They had their first kiss on October 8, 1978 and were

engaged in August 1981. They had a beautiful wedding day on January 15,

1983, in Oakland, California and enjoyed an amazing life together that spanned

39 years.

Headley and Nedra began their family with their first daughter Jillian (Jillycakes),

born July 3, 1983. Their second daughter, Tiffany (Peanut), was born May 16,

1984 and their only son, Brandon (Trojan), was born May 17, 1988. Headley

left Sac State before graduating to start his family. However, he never lost sight

of the importance of education which he desired to instill in his children. He

returned to college and graduated from Saint Mary’s College of California in

Moraga, CA. There he obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Management on

November 8, 1996. Setting a shining example, Jillian graduated with a

Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from Hampton University, Tiffany graduated

with a Bachelor’s Degree from Clark Atlanta University and Brandon graduated

with a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from Savannah College of Art and

Design. He was deeply pleased with their accomplishments.

November 18, 1960 - September 18, 2016

Headley Samuel Chambers

Headley began his career with United Parcel Service in 1981, as a package

handler in the Sacramento Valley District and was promoted to full-time

management in 1985 as an Industrial Engineering supervisor. Headley steadily

moved up the ranks and was promoted to Hub Manager in 1987, and became Hub

Division Manager in 1991. In 1995, he accepted the position of Sacramento Valley

District Relations Manager.

In May 1995, Headley and Nedra opened their first entrepreneurial venture, Tapers

Barber Shop. And in January 1997, having a passion for Jazz, Headley opened and

co-owned the On Broadway Jazz Club and brought live Jazz back to Sacramento.

Headley was determined to make his mark with UPS and everyone who visited him

in Sacramento can recall all the post-it notes around the home to remind him of his

goal. In 1998, Headley who was then in his 17th year with UPS, became the East

Region Labor Relations Coordinator.

Headley and his family remained in Sacramento until January 1999. Spurred by his

promotions within UPS, the family moved to West Chester, PA in early 1999, and

then to Atlanta, GA in August 2001, when he was promoted to Southeast Region

Labor Relations Manager. The family remained in Atlanta until their move to Lock

Lloyd, Mo in October 2006.

In March 2003, Headley became a part-owner of the Riverside Clubhouse

Restaurant which branched into part-ownership of 4 restaurants in the SRO

Franchise. Being a part of this group meant everything to Headley.

In 2010, Headley was named West Region Labor Relations Manager. Headley and

Nedra longed to return to their roots in California and in June 2014, through a

lateral move with UPS, returned to California to the City of San Clemente. On

January 1, 2016, Headley fulfilled his lifelong dream receiving a promotion with

UPS to Vice President of Labor Relations. To put this accomplishment in

perspective, he was one of 150 Corporate Executives for a company that has over

440,000 employees. Headley also served as a Trustee on the Pacific Coast

Benefits Trust.

Headley was a proud grandfather known as “Papa” to two adorable grandchildren,

Ryan-Taylor born February 22, 2012, and Camryn born August 20, 2014. He was

greatly interested in the lives of his grandchildren and all 16 of his nieces and

nephews and strived to be at all of their functions. At every opportunity he was a

mentor to all and will carry on as a legendary role model.

His God-given gifts to lead and encourage touched all his family and friends and

inspired all of us to always be better and to pursue our dreams. Headley’s love was

larger than life and was legendary to all who were blessed to know him.