The Story of Carl Ross Chandler Sr.

Carl Ross Chandler Sr. was born July 12, 1954, in Iraan, Texas, to Clarence Allen Chandler Jr. and Patti Jean Sansom Chandler, child number four of six. Carl is survived by his wife, Peggy Ann; his children, Ross Chandler II, Robin Chandler Donham, Rachel Chandler Smoot, and Cass Ryan Chandler; and fourteen beautiful grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, MaryNell Chandler Burlinson, and his brothers, Leslie Chandler, Billy Mike Chandler, and Terry Wayne Chandler.

Carl was raised by a long line of hard-working, tough, strong men who worked ranches and herded sheep, goats, and cattle up and down the hills around Junction. He and his siblings worked for most of the ranchers year-round until football season. These siblings were strong, fearless, and resourceful. They were expected to bring every animal down the mountains, through cactus and thick brush. They had to bring every goat or sheep down on foot. Only one person was on horseback – PawPaw!

The Chandler brothers were known far and wide as great athletes, as was their father. But they will all tell you that Carl Ross was the best of the best. He received many awards and was an All-State running back no one could tackle. In his senior year, he ranked 33rd in the state in “Most Yards Gained” in one season, with nearly 2,800 yards. Carl began playing college football at Eastern New Mexico State University and played one year before returning to Alpine to play for Sul Ross. That year became a turning point: he met his wife, Peggy Ann, a cute, peppy cheerleader, who invited him to the pep rally…he came…and a 54-year relationship began.

Carl graduated from Sam Houston State University and began his coaching career at West Harden High School in far East Texas, with his lifelong friend, Steve Philips, also from Junction. By then, the Chandlers had their first two of four children, Ross and Robin.

By the second season, the team had won enough games to compete in the playoffs, facing the top-seated team in East Texas. There was a small chance to win. But Coach Chandler decided he would bet them, his own players, that if they won, they could shave his head bald. Yes, you guessed correctly: they won, shaved his head bald in front of the entire town, and Peggy Ann cried.

Soon the Chandlers moved closer to home, coaching in Alice, Texas, but Clarence Chandler soon called all his boys to Corpus Christi to start C&C Industrial Builders. They built the business for two years, but Carl’s dream returned to football and the coaching he loved. He next coached in Jourdanton as defensive coordinator for several years. His players there loved him, and he was a passionate, highly skilled coach who taught his boys with skill and determination.

After Jourdanton, Carl coached briefly in Poteet, close to Peggy’s family’s ranch, but quickly got an offer to coach in Port Isabel – with remarkable success as well as fun on the beach! After three years, Falfurrias High offered him a great job. After the move, Carl and the family (smaller now, as Ross and Robin were in college) returned to Port Isabel for three more great years. During this season, Peggy’s beloved father died, and he chose to coach in Pearsall, alongside his mother-in-law and famous basketball coach Wanda Bender. The Chandlers moved to the Bender Ranch to stay. 

His next coaching career launched a fresh vision with the Hondo Owls as Ryan, his youngest son, took the field. With many successes and remarkable leadership in FCA, he began a great new chapter in his life. However, in Ryan’s senior year, Carl moved his family to Lytle, where he coached his final season. Ryan was a stellar athlete and won All-Region honors in Texas, as his brother Ross had before him. Carl coached his daughters as well, Robin – champion hurdler- and Rachel in track and field. All of his children followed his model and obeyed the expectation of an astoundingly rigorous work ethic; the high capacity for work passed down through generations of perseverance and endurance through and against all obstacles led to pushing even harder when quitting was an obvious choice to others. 

His coaching was more than motivating and inspiring-it transcended the walls of the school buildings and ages of coaching and bled into home, church, and communities, reaching an infinite number of lives. His example and life theme of GRIT will continue to have an impact forever because his memory is more than a thought or a smile; it is tangible. He led a life that is an action; a reason to move, to get up, to keep going, to excel and achieve greatness. 

Services are scheduled for Thursday, October 15, 2026, at the First Baptist Church in Castroville, located at 1408 Alsace Ave, Castroville, Texas 78009, starting at 11:00 am.  A graveside service will follow at 3:30 pm, at the Bender Family Cemetery located at 90 Bender Bend, Poteet, Texas 78065.