Dwight Gray Chambers, 69, passed away May 30, 2014 at the VA Puget Sound Medical Center in Seattle, Washington. Dwight slipped peacefully from this world with his family by his side after a 14 month journey back from a tragic skiing accident. During his rehabilitation at Craig Hospital in Englewood, Colorado and at home for the past nine months, Dwight inspired many of us. He showed patient acceptance of his medical situation and a positive attitude about the life he held on to. Dwight and the rest of the Chambers family were incredibly grateful for the many acts of kindness that were done for him in the months since his accident.
Dwight was born on March 22, 1945 to Walter and Glenice Chambers in Phoenix, Arizona. Dwight grew up on the family farm and graduated from Glendale Union High School in 1963. He was active in Future Farmers of America and a football standout when he wasn’t busy bucking bales in the hot Arizona sun. While attending college, Dwight was a bull rider and roper on the college rodeo circuit. He financed his college education by working summers as a Smokejumper based out of the Missoula Jumper Base. Dwight graduated from Northern Arizona University in 1967, and 16 years later earned his Masters Degree from Michigan State University. Dwight valued education and was proud to assist his wife and three children in earning their college degrees.
After graduation from college, Dwight worked one summer on the Libby Ranger District. In September of 1968 Dwight was accepted into officer candidate school for the US Marine Corps at Quantico, Virginia. He proudly served for three years in the Marine Corps, attaining his pilot’s license and graduating to flying the T-38 Talon and A-4 Skyhawk. One of the biggest regrets of his life was that they pulled the last jet out of Vietnam just before he completed his jet pilot training. Upon discharge from the service in 1971, Dwight returned to his Forest Service job in Libby, where he met and married Jo Ann Griffith at Fawn Creek Meadow in 1973.
Dwight’s first forestry job in Libby began his 40 year career with the US Forest Service and his love affair with Montana. He later served in Sula, Great Falls, Missoula, Superior and 19 years at the Supervisor’s Office in Helena, Montana. His favorite position was that of Ranger on the Superior Ranger District from 1984 through 1989. Dwight always enjoyed getting back to his Smokejumper roots on summer fires. The highlight of his summer was buzzing through the gray smoke of a wildfire as Air Attack Coordinator. Dwight made many friends during his career and his Forest Service “family” supported him until the end of his life.
Dwight was a man of few words, and he seldom asked anyone for assistance. Yet he spent his life volunteering his time. He served in the National Ski Patrol organization most every place he worked during his Forest Service career, receiving his 30 year service recognition award in 2013. Dwight also logged countless hours as T-ball coach, cub scout leader, soccer coach, youth group chaperone, and was involved with various service projects through his church and community.
Dwight loved his family, his country, his chunk of paradise in the Swan Valley, Civil War history, classical music (especially the brass parts!), old guns, Lays classic potato chips, and he never gave up on the Dallas Cowboys.
Dwight was preceded in death by his parents, his grandparents and his cousins, David Williams and Jim Chapman. Dwight is survived by his wife Jo Ann, sons Beau (Jenna ) of Maple Valley, WA; Cameron of Seattle, WA; daughter Mariah of Camarillo, CA; grandchildren Hudson and Beckett Chambers, brother John Chambers (Marge), sister Cheryl Chambers and many in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews.
A memorial service celebrating Dwight’s life will be at 11 a.m. Monday, June 30th at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 512 Logan St. in Helena. A reception will immediately follow in the reception hall of the church. Burial with full Military Honors will take place at Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison immediately following the reception. Memorial donations in Dwight’s name are suggested to Great Divide Ski Patrol, PO Box 1613, Helena, MT 59624; Smokejumper Association Good Samaritan Fund, 10 Judy Lane, Chico, CA 95926; Paralyzed Veterans of America, Denver VARO, Suite 356, 155 Van Gorden St., Lakewood, CO 80228 or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday June 30, 2014
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
512 Logan St
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Immediately following the memorial service
Monday June 30, 2014
at the Church in the lower level
,
Burial with Military Honors
2:00 p.m.
Monday June 30, 2014
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Hero's Lane
Fort Harrison, Montana
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday June 30, 2014
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
512 Logan St
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Immediately following the memorial service
Monday June 30, 2014
at the Church in the lower level
,
Burial with Military Honors
2:00 p.m.
Monday June 30, 2014
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Hero's Lane
Fort Harrison, Montana
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Teresa Graham says
JoAnn and Family, I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
JIM & CANDY NIBLETT says
WE HAVE KEPT ABREAST OF YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY’S JOURNEY THROUGH CHERYL….WE BOTH REMEMBER DWIGHT AS THE HANDSOME ”UPPRER CLASSMAN” AT GLENDALE HIGH SCHOOL GLENDALE,AZ. EXTREMELY SAD FOR YOUR GREAT LOSS !!! WE KEEP YOU ALL ON OUR HEARTS & IN OUR CONTINUED PRAYERS. JIM & CANDY GHS 1965
Judie Haxton says
To Dwight’s family. It seems rather sick that I’m checking obituaries on a finally nice Montana day! But I’m pulling weeds and as with painting walls, this activity
always makes me think. I started reading Dwight’s story and I had to smile! If you go to the obituary for Thomas Gibbs Haxton (age 69) Died March 2, 2014 in the archives, you will smile as well. Semper Fi Dwight! Judiehaxton@g.mail.com, Clancy, Montana.
There was a place in Tom’s heart for Libby! Probably in his lungs, too, but that was 62, 63, so our best guess is: a 2nd Lt. exposed to Agent Orange. We’ll never know. The VA honored the affliction of stage IV lung cancer with mets to Tom’s pelvis, making my otherwise healthy Marine quite crippled. Sounds like many parallels. My condolences to you folks.
Judie Haxton
Nels Wilkins says
Jo Ann and Family, I am so very sorry for your loss.
Kimberly Nelson says
JoAnn and family, what a beautiful tribute to Dwight. My prayers are with you all as you celebrate a beautiful life. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to share in your husband/father’s life. He was an amazing man, and I will for ever greatful for the many cups of coffee I shared with Dwight at the office in Helena. May God be with you all as you remember Dwights beautiful smile and huge heart. Always, Kimberly (Forest Service family member)
Sue C Jacoabs says
I went to high school with Dwight in Glendale, Arizona. We also rode the school bus together through elementary school as we both lived on farms along the bus route. We missed and talked about Dwight with good memories at our 5oth high school reunion last October; that’s where most of us learned of his accident.
My sympathies to his family and loved ones. He made a mark many places and clearly will be remembered with sadness and smiles.
Pete Uraine - Mark & Emillio Marcos- says
JoAnn & Family – John, Cheryl – & Families –
We were All saddened to hear about Dwight. He had a very eventful Life, not bad for a
Kid from the country. It was fun growing up just three farms apart. May God Bless You
All. Our Prayers are with you.
Saralee Deacon says
Dear JoAnn and all of your Families, Cheryl and John,
You are all in ours thoughts and prayers, especially today as you celebrate Dwight’s life filled with family and love. Dwight’s Paternal Grandparents were our beloved Great Aunt Lizzie and J.W. Chambers. We loved going to the Bull Pen Ranch up by Camp Verde, when we got the chance. Great Easter Egg hunts and wonderful fishing in the creek. I remember Mom holding me by the suspenders so I wouldn’t slip in the fishin’ hole! I also loved going out to their wonderful house near Grand Ave. where Aunt Lizzie taught me all kinds of arts and crafts that still influence me today. I still remember the rose scented soft petals she had to make flowers with. Going out to Walter and Glenice’s Farm was also a treat. I wish we would have gone more often! I particularly loved the mink adventure!! In honor of Dwight, we are going to donate to the The Children of Promise, which will go to Tyler and Connie Youngkin’s Christian children’s home in Tijuana, Mexico “Ninos de la Promesa.
May the Good Lord bring you Peace that Passes all Understanding today and as you go forward. All our Love, Saralee and Robert Deacon, John and Maria Youngkin, Tyler and Connie Youngkin