Gail Chambers

Gail Chambers, age 83, of Osawatomie, Kansas, formerly of Lane, Kansas, died July 12, 2014 at Life Care Nursing Home at Osawatomie. Gail was born April 1, 1931 at Pomona, Kansas. He was the 8th of 12 children born to Clyde Jacob and Eva Marie (Whitaker) Chambers. Gail grew up in Pomona and attended Pomona High School. On June 10, 1948, Gail and Edith Rutledge were united in marriage at Ottawa, Kansas. They made their home in Lane and became the parents of two children. Gail began working in the Firestone Hardware Store at Osawatomie in 1951. In the 1960"s, he purchased Firestone along with the Locker Room which was another retail business just across the street. He was co-owner of the two stores with John David Cole. Gail worked at Firestone for 46 years before retiring in 1997. He was a member of the United Methodist Church at Lane. He was also a member of the Osawatomie Elks and a 52 year member of the Masonic Lodge of Lane. Gail"s hobbies included fishing, gardening, and camping. Gail was an avid hunter, too, hunting coon, deer, quail, and even frogs. His favorite fishing hole was the Pottawatomie River right behind his house. There was very seldom a day that went by that Gail didn"t go fishing. He also enjoyed playing cards. He was a big fan of KU basketball. Gail enjoyed time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren. Gail and Edith"s first grandchild, James Brown, was born on Gail"s birthday. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Evelyn Martin, and five brothers Don, Wayne, Norman, Bob, and Virgil Chambers. He is survived by his wife Edith; son Jim Chambers (Cathy) of Lane; daughter Debra Huss (Pat) of Osawatomie; two brothers Keith Chambers (Cy) of Idaho and Warren Chambers (Alice) of Gardner, Kansas; three sisters Marge Kitts (Gene), Jean Clark, and Kay Massengale all of Ottawa; his sister-in-law Carol Chambers of Ottawa; 4 grandchildren James Brown, Rachelle Rodriguez, Doug Chambers, and Jennifer Cahow; 6 great grandchildren Natalie and Nicole Donohue, Reese Rodiguez, Caleb and Kiera Brown, and Ty Chambers; many other relatives and friends. Memorial contributions can be made to Lane United Methodist Church or Vitas Hospice.