Obituary:
Toby Jason Chandler a long time Lone Star MVPA member and MVPA National Board Member was born July 31, 1934 in Groesbeck, Texas. Toby passed away on May 25th, 2022 at 6:00 a.m. while peacefully resting at his Westlake Hills, Texas home surrounded by his loved ones.

Toby grew up in Thrall, Texas-raised by his beloved grandparents Jason and Rosa Walker Chandler. At 16 years of age, he was accepted to Texas A&M University where he became a member of the Aggie Corp of Cadets and the Caption of the Aggie pistol team. He graduated with his Bachelor’s of Science Business Administration degree in 1955. In 1956 he enlisted in the US Army where he graduated from the Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He was selected and commissioned as a Lieutenant of Field Artillery. After two years of field service, he attended the Military Intelligence Officer’s Court at Fort Holibird, Maryland, where he was reassigned as Captain of Military Intelligence.

In 1959 he began his 22-year distinguished career as a United States Secret Service Agent. At 26 years of age, he became the youngest agent assigned to the elite team directly protecting The White House. From 1959 until 1965 he was assigned to the personal details of President Dwight Eisenhower, President John F. Kennedy, and President Lyndon B. Johnson.

In 1962 Toby was a supervisor of the security plan for the visit of President John F. Kennedy, at the time the President addressed the Cuban assault brigade. From 1965 until 1970 he was a criminal investigator assigned to various field offices across the country. In 1970 he was the leader of the advance team escorting Vice President Spiro Agnew to the war zone in Vietnam. He was then promoted to the Vice-Presidential staff and supervisory assignments on two more trips to Vietnam and one to the demilitarized combat zone in Korea.

In August 1963 he became the doting father of Jason McDade Chandler and in February of 1968 his darling daughter Pele Ann Chandler was born. He adored both of his children and was an amazing father.

From 1973 until 1981 he was the Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service Houston, Texas office where he was the supervisor of criminal investigations and presidential protective operations. During this time, he managed law enforcement and the intelligence activities in over 39 counties, with over 4 million persons, including coverage of the United States Space Station Center at Houston, Texas.

Toby married the love of his life Anna Lee Reneau on October 22, 1977 in Austin, Texas. With this marriage, he gained an additional three children; Terrell, Rhonda, and Sandra Perkins whom he treasured. During their 45 year marriage, Toby and Ann traveled the world together making beautiful memories. Ann will miss his morning kiss when bringing her coffee each morning in bed. He was a devoted, loving husband to her and treated her like a queen.

Upon his retirement from The United States Secret Service in 1981, he founded his own private consulting company, Salvar, Inc. which offered top level protective services. His private company worked for: a major United States oil exploration company with locations in six South American countries, a Governor of Texas during his re-election campaign, CBS News and their journalist Dan Rather, as well as securing the recovery and transportation of raw gold from mines in the Alaskan wilderness. He served as a staff instructor at the Arab Center for Security Studies in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia where he trained and taught members of the Saudi Royal Guard. He traveled to secure heads of nations, Princes and various celebrities when called upon and finally concluded his career as head of security for the world-renowned minister Billy Graham and his son Franklin Graham, President of Samaritan’s Purse international Christian relief organization. In 2018 Toby retired from his private security firm at the age of 84.

Thru the years, his passions were restoring and rebuilding World War II Military vehicles with original parts obtained from several trips to Normandy. Several of his restorations have been donated to the Museum at Camp Mabry, Austin, TX. He was an avid hunter and hunted all over the world with his large group of hunting buddies. Ann and Toby enjoyed much of their time at what he called “The Palace”, their home in Nogal, New Mexico where friends and family were always welcome. When his grandson Steven Paul Martinez was born in 1982, Toby was called “Granddad” and enjoyed the role of mentoring his grandson. When his granddaughter Kaylee Alyssa Perkins was born in 1995, Toby became her “Big Boy” and he loved teaching her things like; how to handle a firearm, and drive a jeep, but most importantly about how far a degree would take her in life. He was a very strong advocate of education and made sure that all his children and grandchildren went to college. He was elated when his son Jason and his grandson Steven chose Texas A&M University. His daughter Sandra and granddaughter Kaylee attended The University of Texas at Austin – which began the never-ending jokes and puns between the Longhorn and Aggie rivalry. He was very proud when each of them completed college and especially proud when his “Princess” Kaylee Perkins became the first in the family to obtain her Master’s Degree.

Toby was preceded in death by his beloved grandfather and namesake, Jason M. Chandler, and his devoted grandmother Rosa Walker Chandler. His loving mother, Mary Nell Chandler Boren and her husband Robert Boren as well as his precious daughter Pele Ann Chandler. He is survived by his wife Anna Lee Reneau Chandler, children Jason McDade Chandler, Terrell Perkins, Rhonda Perkins Martinez, and Sandra Perkins, along with his two grandchildren Kaylee Perkins and Steven Martinez. He is also survived by sister Janet Boren Nuckolls, her husband Heath Nuckolls, and their daughters Christina and Katherine.

Toby will be long remembered by all of us in the Lone Star MVPA as a cherished friend,and collegue. It is an honor to have know him.

Obituary:
Kelly Walraven passed away this week and will be missed by all the members of the club.

Marion Kelly Walraven a Lone Star MVPA member since 2017. born July 15, 1943 and passed away October 26, 2021. CPL. Kelly Walraven served in the Marine corps in Vietnam. He received a Purple Heart while in the 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. Kelly received his Paratrooper Wings in the Marine Reserves. Kelly Graduated from Texas A&M and taught Math in Dallas Middle school. Kelly went to work for the Union Pacific rail road in Houston Texas and retired from them. Kelly lost his home and belongs in the Bastrop fires. Soon after he became a volunteer fireman for Smithville's fire department. He moved to Bastrop soon after the fires. Kelly and his wife were Members of the First Baptist Church of Bastrop. Kelly Joined the Bastrop area first Monday Breakfast bunch in 2017. There he was introduced to the 1919 Purple Heart Chapter members who signed him up on the spot! Kelly once said that Joining the Breakfast Bunch ,Lone Star MVPA, Bastrop Marine Corps Leathernecks and the Purple Hearts was a high point in his life and pulled him out of a lot of Bad memories of Vietnam. He said he learned others felt the same way!

                 

Obituary:
Mervyn "Merv" Parker passed away peacefully at Matthews Hospice in Alliston on Wednesday December 25, 2019 at the age of 77. Beloved Husband of Beverly Parker. Dear Father of Ross (Deb), Mike (Kathy), Diana (Tim) and Bruce. Cherished by his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren in Texas, his sister Joyce (Kendall) in Florida, and his nieces and nephews in Nova Scotia and throughout the USA. Predeceased by his parents Claude and Leah, and his brother Ron. Merv will be greatly missed by his many relatives and friends.

Merv Parker served over thirty years in the Canadian government as a decorated Police Officer and Security Specialist. After retirement Merv continued to serve on international security projects as a volunteer advisor. Merv is the author of "Aviation Security in Canada - a Management Perspective"; "Chief Constable"; and "Anxious to Serve." Merv was a life officer of Acadia University Class of 1966, a member of the Royal Canadian Legion and of the Masonic Lodge.

Cremation has taken place. Celebration of Life will be held on January 18, 2020 in Shelburne ON, and in March 2020 in McMahan TX.

If desired, donations to Primose United Church (https://www.canadahelps.org/e…) or Matthews House Hospice (https://www.matthewshousehosp…) would be appreciated in lieu of flowers.

                 

Patrick died on 6 January 2018. Patrick served for 4 years in the Marine Corps. He earned promotion to Corporal and was Ordinance Chief on the V-22 Osprey aircraft. He was stationed at MCAS New River in North Carolina and was deployed twice, to Spain and Sicily.

Patrick joined the club several years ago. He was a respected and valued member of the club and will be greatly missed.

Obituary:
Patrick Owen left us on January 6, 2018. He was born on June 11, 1994 in Austin. He was enthusiastically welcomed by his parents Jane Dilger and Roderick (Rory) Clarke and siblings Caitlin and David Colin. He was an especially devoted son and brother, and he was strongly protective of his sister and mother.

Patrick attended Hutto schools from kindergarten on and graduated from Hutto High School. He played trombone in the marching band for 7 years and was section leader his junior and senior year. He was a Boy Scout and took his leadership responsibilities very seriously. Although he was the youngest in our family, he became an adopted older brother and informal mentor to many young people, all of whom he dearly loved. He loved going to airshows and setting up displays with the Military Vehicle Preservation Association. He was a gifted technical artist and could create a model of any machine in any medium, from any angle, and would show them to you with full explanation.

Patrick served for 4 years in the Marine Corps. He may be the only recruit ever who enjoyed Boot Camp. When he was kept in sick bay for an afternoon after having 8 teeth pulled, his only complaint was that he’d missed a really fun obstacle course. He earned promotion to Corporal and was Ordinance Chief on the V-22 Osprey aircraft. He was stationed at MCAS New River in North Carolina and was deployed twice, to Spain and Sicily.

Patrick was predeceased by his grandparents Joe and Elizabeth Dilger, and Betsy and David Clarke.

He was a loved and wanted child.

Tim died in his sleep on 2 December 2014. Tim (Hawk) Doyal joined the club several year ago, was a member for a couple of years but dropped out due to medical reasons. He had served as a Navy Corpsman attached to the Marines during his military service. During his time in the club he had a M1009 and participated in many of our events. He eventually sold his vehicle to Rory but continued to ride along until he dropped out a few years ago.

J.D. Hofer Sr. 12 June 1933 - 17 February 2014

JD Sr was active in the club for many years. He and his son, JD Jr., would regularly bring their WWII jeep and associated display equipment up from near Corpus Christi to participate in events. JD served in the U.S. Army 1956-1959, putting himself through school while he served. In civilian life he was a self-taught engineer. Married for 57 years, family was his main priority, he loved nothing more than watching his grandchildren grow, and he selflessly supported them the whole way.

Gone above now, but not forgotten.