Kennard H. Chandler III

Kennard (Ken) H. Chandler, III, 60, of Cabot, lost his battle with cancer Wednesday, February 18, 2015. He was born to Kennard H. and Loretta Chandler, October 16, 1954 in Little Rock, Ark. Ken graduated from Sylvan Hills High School in 1972 and attended Henderson State University on a music scholarship before graduating from ITT with an Associates in Computer Sciences. He married Ruth Krisell in 1975 and they lived together in Cabot, Arkansas. Ken worked as a special needs educator for 25 years, the last 6 years at Cabot High School. He was passionate about making a difference in the lives of his students. Ken was a very talented bass player, learning young to sight read music and leaves a legacy of playing great music. He accompanied musicians such as Patty Page, Billy Lee Riley, Brenda Lee and Barbara Eden and opened for Bob Dylan at Lincoln Center, Cheap Trick and played at the 1984 Olympics in LA. He started playing when in high school at the Hot Springs Vapors Club and met his wife Ruth while playing for the Baby Ruth Band in 1974. Ken played for numerous local bands throughout the years: Mark Hayes and the Silverheels Band, Ebo and the TomCatz, N2 Blues Band, Nick Devlin, Gill Franklin, and the Port Arthur Band. Ken is survived by his wife, Ruth Chandler of Cabot, mother, Loretta Chandler of Sherwood, aunt Mary Ruth Chandler of Sherwood, sister, Louann Howell (Pat) of Lonoke, daughters, Amy Eddy of North Little Rock and Ruth Anne Godwin of Mayflower; seven grandchildren: Tyler and Ella Godwin of Mayflower, Ashley (Smith) Wilkins of Cabot, Ryan Watson of Sherwood, Anna Watson of Ward, Naomi Watson of Ward and Rachel Watson of North Little Rock; eight great grandchildren: Trysten Smith, Aiden Watson, Gabriel Sullivan, Ashton Huff, Kobe Watson, Sawyer Watson, Izabella Watson and Creed Staggs; one niece, Emily Howell and one nephew, Wyatt Howell both of Lonoke. Donations can be made to: Angels Care Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 95062, North Little Rock, Ark. 72190. Visitation will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home. Burial will be held at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Cabot following the services. Online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.