Jay Chambers Obituary

Jay Lee Chambers, 85, of Lexington, Va., died on Wednesday, December 17, 2008. He was born on April 7, 1923, in Providence, Ky., the son of the late Jay Lea Chambers and Anna Griggs Chambers. He graduated from George Washington University, and received a Masters (1952) and PhD (1954) in clinical psychology from the University of Kentucky. He served as director of the Center for Psychological Services from 1970 to 1990 at the College of William and Mary and was honored with the Sullivan Award for recognition of the characteristics of heart, mind and helpfulness to others. He served during World War II in the Marine Corps as a radio operator, Joint Assault Signal Company (JASCO) Pacific Theater, 1942 to 1946. He was involved in actions on Eniwetok, Kwajalein, Makin Island, Guam, Okinawa as well as other islands and was part of the initial landing force in Japan. A lifelong musician, he brought pleasure to many playing jazz on trombone, cornet, keyboards, flute and through his arrangements. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Willa B. Chambers. He was survived by his wife, Elizabeth Tull Chambers, his daughters, Carol (Bill) Chambers, and Ann (Michael) Theis; his sister, Ann (Leon) Money; his cousin, Carol (Wayne) Tune; his stepchildren, Elizabeth (Bob) Amos, Ollen (Sondra) Burnette, Graham (Nina) Burnette, John (Claudia) Burnette, and William (Tamera) Burnette; six grand children; and two great-grandchildren. He was loved by his numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 21, 2008, in Kendal Hall, Kendal at Lexington by the Rev. William Klein. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to Habitat for Humanity, 121 Habitat Street, Americus, Ga. 31709-3498, www.habitat.org. Arrangements by Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory, Lexington, Va.