Robert Harold "Bobby" Chandler

Robert Harold "Bobby" Chandler, age 74 of Little Rock, Ark., succumbed on Friday, April 6, 2012 from lung cancer complications at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center. He was surrounded by his family. He had been hospitalized for several weeks. A son of the late Horace and Valeria Chandler of Little Rock, he is survived by his wife of 53 years, Kate Smith Chandler, and three sons, Stephen Crawford Chandler (Cindy) of Alexander, Stuart Ashcraft Chandler of Cabot and Todd Hamby Chandler (Kelly) of Sherwood. He is also survived by a brother, Dr. Billy M. Chandler (Mildred) of North Little Rock and a sister, Betty Chandler Ward (John) of Conway. His surviving grandchildren include Meghan Chandler Perrigo (Jason) of Alexander, Stephen Chandler Jr. of Alexander, Alexander Chandler of Clarksville, Casey Gainous of Alexander, Kaitlyn Chandler of Conway, Cameron-Rose Chandler of Alexander, Brandon and Christopher Chandler both of Alexander, Hayley and Lauren Chandler of Greenbrier, Todd Chandler, Jr. (Amanda) of Sherwood, Andrew Chandler (Taylor) of Walnut Ridge and Kate Chandler of Sherwood; three great-grandchildren, Claire and Jaxson Perrigo of Alexander and McKenzie Chandler of Sherwood and numerous nieces and nephews. A 32nd Degree Mason, Bobby was a past master at Albert Pike Masonic Lodge No. 714 in Little Rock. He retired after 30 years with the City of Little Rock, the last years spent with the Office of Emergency Services. Prior to that, he was for a number of years employed in the circulation department of the Arkansas Democrat. Bobby became a hit musical act with his Stardusters backup group in 1956, while still in high school. The next year, he signed a recording contract with O.J. Records and Hi Records, and recorded eight songs in 1957. His songs "I'm Really Serious" and "If You Loved Me" rose to No. 38 in the nation on the Top 40 Billboard Magazine Charts and sold more than 350,000 copies. The songs are part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. At the height of his fame in April, 1957, Bobby Chandler and the Stardusters gave a rock and roll concert, their first ever, in Robinson Auditorium in Little Rock and significantly, the opening act for Bobby and the Stardusters was Ray Charles. Bobby retired from singing on the road in 1959, but continued to sing at pre-arranged venues in the Greater Little Rock area throughout the remainder of his life, and recorded a number of compact disks since 2004 at Blue Chair Records. He established a website, bobbychandlermusic.com and wrote in a class reunion biography, "I hope you will visit my website and listen to a sample of all eight CD's, plus a sample of a CD by my sister, Betty Chandler Ward, pianist, which has wonderful background music for any occasion. Memorial Services will be 2 p.m., Thursday, April 12, 2012 at Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth Funeral Home, 5800 W. 12th Street, Little Rock, Ark. (501) 661-9111 with Reverend David Moore and longtime family friend the Reverend Fred Arnold of Pine Bluff. A visitation will be held one hour prior to services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: LRCHS Class of '56, c/o Mary Lou Cabbiness, 12815 Pleasant Forest Drive, Little Rock, Ark. 72212 or the Charity of your choice. To sign the online guest book, please visit www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.