Gary Daniel Chambers

He attended North Carolina State University where he studied communications, was a member of the Theta Chi fraternity and met many of his dearest lifelong friends. After college, Mr. Chambers worked in sales for the chimney industry, serving as an active member of both the National Chimney Sweep Guild, the North Carolina Chimney Sweep Association and the South Carolina Chimney Sweep Guild.

Dubbed a “tough old goat,” Mr. Chambers survived colon cancer (twice), pancreatic cancer, ureteral cancer, skin cancer, lung cancer and prostate cancer. His last battle with cancer was carried out with grace and good humor. Though Mr. Chambers life was cut short, he lived it fully. He often said he had lived "a charmed life," but perhaps what made his days so full was, in part, due to the fact that he embraced what life had to offer. He never met a stranger, was a fighter to the end and was already ready for a new adventure. In college, he made his living one summer playing mandolin for his bluegrass band, Smokin’ Fast Grass Band, at the Cotton Exchange in Wilmington, NC. His love of bluegrass was shared by his daughter and both eagerly anticipated attending the IBMA World of Bluegrass festival in Raleigh every September. An avid sports fan throughout his life, Mr. Chambers fondly remembered catching a foul ball at a San Francisco Giants game as a child and being honored in 2022 at a Carolina Hurricanes game as the “Hero of the Game” after his many battles with cancer. He was not only a fan of sports, but an athlete himself, winning a ping pong championship alongside friends during college and later bowling an 800 series after years of persistent practice on Thursday nights with his bowling team. One of his greatest joys was coaching his son in little league baseball for several years (with one season ending in a championship). He was blessed with four beautiful grandchildren that he deeply loved and for whom he hoped to be “an enduring positive influence.” In addition to spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren, a perfect day for Mr. Chambers would start with waking up before dawn and heading out to the Gulf Stream to go fishing. “The Motley Crew,” as he called his fishing buddies and himself, took trips biannually, and the height of these fishing trips for him was the moment he caught a 500 pound blue marlin. His wife, Carol, looked forward to joining him on these fishing trips and occasionally went fishing with him; these were times that she always cherished. He loved reading, history and language and was famous for his many humorous sayings–some colloquial and some of his own creation. If you asked him a question, instead of simply saying “yes,” he might answer “Has a cat got climbing gear?” That was Mr. Chambers; he always made others laugh, even when he was not feeling at his best. Before he passed, he enjoyed spending time each Sunday with his sister Jan as well as his visits from his brother Davey and his close friends. His family is grateful for the wonderful care he received from all of his medical professionals. Mr. Chambers loved his family dearly and was honored to be blessed with such extraordinary friends and neighbors. His family will miss him forever.

Mr. Chambers is survived by his wife, Carol McDuffie Chambers, of Clayton; daughter Krystal Chambers Lazio and husband Nicholas Lazio of Silver Spring, Maryland; son Brian Chambers and wife Iesha Chambers of Palm Bay, Florida; sister Jan Hood of New Bern; brother Davey Chambers of Clayton; grandsons Solomon Witcher and Christopher Chambers of Palm Bay and Aurelius Chambers Lazio of Silver Spring; granddaughter Nora Chambers of Palm Bay; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the UNC Rex Cancer Center on 2901 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607 or to the Full Life Foundation for Lynch Syndrome (www.fulllifefoundationls.org/donate).