Deacon Tommy J. Chandler, Sr.

Chandler ~ Tommy James Chandler, Sr., the oldest child of Jessie and Ellen Sistrunk Chandler, was born April 16, 1937, in Opelika, Alabama. The family relocated to Jacksonville, Florida when Tommy was very young. He graduated from Mathew W. Gilbert and continued his education at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), class of 1962. After graduation he was drafted by the Boston Patriots, now the New England Patriots. In 1993, he was installed as a member of the Diaconate, Bethel Baptist Institutional Church and in 2003, he was inducted into the FAMU Sports Hall of Fame. Through the years he has received many honors but one that he is most proud of is being the first recipient of the Tommy J. Chandler STD Excellent Award. Based on criteria established by the State of Florida, Department of Health, this award is presented annually to the most outstanding worker in the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STD). When asked what made him such an outstanding Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) he related the following in his own words.

In My Own Words

By Tommy J. Chandler

I have often thought about what it really means to have an annual excellence award named in one’s honor. To have an award established in my name has been one of the truly special and humbling highlights of my career, especially for a profession I care so deeply about. Throughout my adult life, I have always strived to be an outstanding Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) and relied on my God-given drive to help others less fortunate.  What brought me success as a DIS was to bring a down-to-earth approach in my communication with clients. Additionally, I have always strived to live by the following principles:

Commitment: A DIS is committed to the Field of Public Health, not just about a paycheck. A DIS is always on call and often works way beyond the normal 8 to 5 without extra compensation. A willingness to be deployed wherever the state determines a need, doing whatever it takes. For me, it was in the 60’s and 70’s when I was called upon to help halt the spread of syphilis in virtually every corner of the state.

Conscientious: A DIS is reliable and comes to work EVERY DAY! I could not have done my job if I wasn’t there. I had tunnel vision at work – didn’t compare my assignments with my co-workers. Whatever was assigned I did without complaint, as accurately and efficiently as possible.

Punctuality: BE ON TIME! Be on time to work, to appointments, meetings, wherever. Make punctuality a part of who you are, your trademark. Especially be on time when meeting with clients as it shows respect for their time and consideration on your part.

Knowledge: A great DIS knows every aspect of their job. I attended workshops – those required by the state or on my own in order to learn new techniques on how to conduct interviews and investigations. I went to my co-workers and supervisors for assistance and learned from their expertise. I also learned on the job, discovering what worked and what didn’t work. I kept the good techniques and threw away the ones that failed. In other words, I may have made new mistakes, but I didn’t keep making the same mistakes.

Tolerance: A great DIS always keeps an open mind. My job wasn’t to judge other people’s lifestyles, economic situations, or sexual orientation. My acceptance and respect of people as they are helped me gain their trust and confidence.

Cordial: Always greet people with a smile and maintain a friendly good-natured attitude. I was a pleasant, goodwill ambassador for my department. You “catch more flies with honey than vinegar” so maybe clients would be more open to warmth than indifference. And you know what? They were.

Compassion: Always look at a client as a person – not just what his or her health issues are. I was concerned if they needed food or clothes or help with the “system.” I either directed them to the proper agencies or contacted people who could help them. When you help somebody, you help yourself. Down the road that same person may be in a position to help you, simply because you took the time to support them in their time of need.

Mentorship: Always take the time to take a new DIS under your wing, to teach, encourage, and train. Emphasize the importance of being team players – not just at work, but in life. Prepare them not just how to do a good job but how to live a good life. I was fortunate enough to have been mentored by Willie Greene who gave me all the tools necessary in order to be a solid investigator, interviewer, and supervisor.

Consistency: All of the above traits were a part of my personality and work habits every day for over forty years. I loved every minute on the job! The work was so enjoyable that after a year in retirement I returned for an assignment that was supposed to last two weeks. It has now been four years, part time, and I’m still in the trenches – mentoring, consulting, interviewing, and whatever I’m asked to do to fight the spread of STD’s.

And there you have it; I guess this is how The Annual Tommy Chandler STD Excellence Award came into existence, to recognize those DIS who most exemplify the aforementioned traits. At least that’s how I see it.

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Tommy Chandler was preceded in death by his daughter, Synetta Latson; father and mother, Jessie and Ellen Chandler; brothers, George Chandler, Howard McGee; sisters, Minnie Lee Chandler, Catherine McGee, Debra Tyson.

Tommy leaves to cherish and celebrate his life and legacy his devoted wife Gracie Lewis Chandler, celebrating thirty-six years of marriage June 23, 2026; sons, Tommy Chandler Jr, Thornton Chandler (Karen), J. Todd Chandler; daughter, Genay Jackson (Steven); brother, Herman McGee (Brenda); devoted nephew, Samuel Chandler; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other loving relatives and friends too numerous to count.

Tommy James Chandler, Sr., will be dearly missed by all, but will forever live in the hearts of those he loved and those who loved him.

Truly he is the man, the myth and the legend.

Celebration of Life service for Deacon Emeritus Tommy James Chandler, Sr. will be 11:00AM Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at The Bethel Church.  Visitation Monday from 5 – 7:00 PM at The Church.  Interment in Edgewood Cemetery. Because of the love of his family, arrangements entrusted to J. E. Fralin & Sons Funeral & Cremation Services, 5065 Soutel Drive, 904-924-9400

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