Chandler Clark Radley Obituary (1998

Chandler Radley ran for his life into the arms of Jesus late Wednesday, March 10th 2021. At the tragically young age of 22, he left this earth suddenly and without warning, leaving his family & friends heartbroken and in disbelief. His spirit has joined the family that have passed before us, including his grandparents Norman and Donna Radley, and Joann Hensley, where he will watch over us and await us all in the glorious kingdom of heaven. Though his life was cut short, his memory will live long, the lives he touched during his brief stay here forever changed. It is said a flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long, and so the fire of Chandlers life burned faster and brighter than any other in his family. He will be remembered by his loved ones as being a paragon of kindness, a resourceful young boy with a unique humor, an unforgettable smile, and a contagious laugh that no one could resist. Chandler was born in Redmond, WA on April 8th, 1998 at 8:38 PM, weighing 8 pounds 8 ounces, his lucky number might have been eight, but Chandler was one of a kind. The youngest of 4 boys, Chandler was always the baby in the Radley family. But being the baby didnt stop him from trying to imitate his rambunctious older brothers, and he made up for his age difference by becoming the wildest of the bunch. Chandler spent his infancy in Issaquah, WA before moving to the Yakima Valley where he would spend most his life. Later in life he would also live in Bothell and Spokane, WA for a short time, but he knew his place was in Yakima and Selah with his best friends who were like a second family to him. Chandler had a knack for storytelling and a way with words, his vocabulary was filled with malapropisms and sayings that were all his own (many of which his family never forgot and became inside jokes for life). His humorous interpretation of the world around him gave his family and friends an endless source of laughter and will live on through the stories they recount for many years to come. Chandler was a free spirit that lived by his own rules and did what he wanted to do, when he wanted to do it. He never let anyone or anything hold him back. Being as headstrong as he was, got him into hot water many times but he always managed to get out of any predicament he was in, often without consequence. From his childhood, being the youngest member of the "wrecking crew" as the Radley brothers were known, he went from tagalong to oblivious troublemaker as he followed the example of his older brothers Blake, Garrett, and Jordan. The boisterous Radley boys were known for being mischievous mess makers and unrestrained rowdy children, to the detriment of their overwhelmed parents. Though their parents eventually parted ways, they stayed committed to raising their boys together and had steadfast reinforcement from their new partners as well. Once the boys step-parents came in to the picture, they helped bring structure and guidance into their life that they so desperately needed. Though their days of unruly childhood freedom became numbered and more restrained, for one week out of the year at least each October, the boys would again get their taste of the rollicking carefree past they fondly remembered. Chandler looked forward to deer camp all year as one would look forward to Christmas, it was a place where he could run wild with his cousins in the backwoods of Utah and be free. He made many great memories there with his family riding 4wheelers, shooting BB guns, and making smores by the fire. Less than a month before he turned seven years old, Chandler became a big brother himself to his new baby sister Hannah (Elle). He adored her and she him, the youngest siblings were an inseparable pair, always close and never at odds. Chandler had a special relationship with each of his brothers too that only grew stronger with time and never frayed as they grew older. As Chandler went through grade school and middle school he became a teenager and had made friends for life with Travis Vaughn. Travis was his brother from another mother, two peas in a pod. They did everything together and were friends to the bitter end. By the time Chandler graduated high school he had made more very close friends in Nick Sluder and Sam Renner who also became like brothers to him. This rag tag "Band of brothers" became Chandlers second family and he spent most of the last years of his life bonding with them over music, skateboarding, video games, and jam sessions. Although he often wondered what life would be like under one roof, Chandler was truly blessed with two sets of loving parents that caught him every time he fell and took care of him whenever he had trouble taking care of himself. Chandler was especially close with his mother Jeanette, his friend as much his parent, they shared many tears and bouts of laughter through every high and low point in Chandlers life. A mamas boy if ever there was one, Chandler always looked to his mom for help and she was always there for him. They bonded over art and encouraged each other to pursue their creative outlets to their fullest. Their love for each other was unconditional and unwavering, the bond between mother & child stronger than any force that could pull them apart. Though he has left his mortal shell, his love for his mother and her for her son is eternal and everlasting. Chandlers father Alvin worked hard and often to provide him with the things he wanted and needed. He pushed tirelessly to help him get through school to graduate and protected him from every adversity he could throughout his life. Chandler loved his father endlessly and truly cherished every moment they had together. Whether they were fishing, camping, or just hanging out at the house, they always had fun and made many wonderful memories together. Those special moments with his father were held in the highest regard and he always yearned for the next time they could enjoy each others company. Alvins love and commitment to his youngest boy never faltered, though Chandlers life was ephemeral, their loving bond as Father & Son lives on forevermore. Chandlers step-mother Arlene entered his life when he was just 2 years old, she was quickly thrust with the great responsibility of raising him for what would be the majority of his life. She bore the brunt of chandlers parenting day in and day out, from toddler to high school graduate and did so with loving tenacity. She raised him as her own son and persevered through the hardest times of disagreement between them. Though they didnt always see eye to eye, she loved him with a full heart, cared for him always, and helped form him into the wonderful, polite, and kind boy we all knew and loved. Chandlers step father Todd took on the responsibility of parenting Chandler with earnest. He made every effort to be a great dad to Chandler through his late childhood, teenage years, and all the way through to the end. He was always determined to give Chandler the positive direction and influence he needed in his life, imparting chivalry and wisdom to his step son at a young age and pushing him to be the best man he could be. Todd gave Chandler life experiences that no one else did, taught him lessons that no one else could, and loved him like his own child without prejudice. Todds selflessness and devotion to raising this boy right helped turn Chandler into the amazing young man we cherished so dearly. Chandler always looked forward to visiting his family in California, Oregon, and Utah where hes still fondly remembered by his cousins, Aunts, and Uncles as the adorable, goofy boy he was. When Chandler lived on his own he took every opportunity to hang out with his older brothers, staying up late, playing cards, and talking about the crazy times they had as kids. He also got to experience wonderful family vacations to Disney Land, Hawaii, and many other beautiful places around the Pacific Northwest. Though trips like these occurred less as he became an adult, Chandler worked hard so he could afford to travel and see family as often as possible. Chandler got his first job as a cook at Dominoes right out of high school and continued working steadily in the food service industry for the next couple years. After a brief period of moving between family in Bothell and Spokane, he eventually settled into a new life on his own back in Yakima working at Fred Meyer. Chandler was proud of his work there as an essential worker, putting in overtime throughout the pandemic and always going the extra mile to help those in need. He made easy friends with his coworkers and left an indelible impression on them. His genuine friendliness always standing out and his trademark silliness that will forever bring a smile to those people whenever they remember him. It is heartbreaking that Chandlers life was cut so short, he missed out on some of lifes greatest treasures, never to marry or have children but in his sacrifice, he brought his family together, closer than ever, in a way he could only have dreamed about. His greatest wish has become reality in his death, his family together at last with the past behind them, their futures brighter than ever, lit by the eternal flame of Chandlers light from heaven. And though he has moved on from our sight, his spirit now shed from its mortal coil will only know peace and he will be with us always. He will be forever missed, but never forgotten. Chandler leaves behind his parents: Alvin (& Arlene) Radley and Jeanette (& Todd) Crooks; his three brothers and their spouses: Jordan (& Shelby) Radley, Garrett (& Daniella) Radley, Blake Radley (& Ariel); his sister: Hannah "Elle" Crooks; step-brothers: Scott, Kelly and Nick ODell. He also leaves behind his Grandparents: Bob (& Denise) Hensley; nieces Abigail and Harper Radley; and nephew Mason ODell. his best friends Travis Vaughn, Nick Sluder and Sam Renner, his "adopted" parents: TJ & Shannon Vaughn, and many more friends and family too numerous to list. SERVICES Visitation Friday, March 26, 2021 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM Brookside Funeral Home and Crematory (Yakima) 500 W Prospect Moxee, Washington 98936 Visitation Saturday, March 27, 2021 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 4307 Englewood Avenue Yakima, WA 98908 Saturday, March 27, 2021 10:45 AM - 11:00 AM The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 4307 Englewood Avenue Yakima, WA 98908 Saturday, March 27, 2021 11:00 AM The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 4307 Englewood Avenue Yakima, Washington 98908 Monday, March 29, 2021 10:00 AM Terrace Heights Memorial Park 3001 Terrace Heights Drive Yakima, WA 98901