Dear Friends and Family,

 

This is Mark's son, Kevin Chandler. At 27, I never imagined I’d be writing this, but our family is facing a reality we weren’t prepared for. My Dad was one of the few people on the planet with no enemies—he left behind an incredible legacy of hard work, love, and dedication to his family and the thousands of friends he also considered family.

 

He was a self-made man who came from nothing, building his career and life through relationships, determination, kindness, and an unmatched work ethic. He was a man of many talents, but unfortunately, personal finances were not one of them. My beautiful mom, Christine, is now navigating these newfound financial challenges alone.

 

My parents spent 30 years building a life together centered on family, friends, love, compassion, and creating opportunities for us. My Dad worked his way up the ladder in the automobile and credit union space, industries he truly cherished. He genuinely loved what he did, and his income was what supported both him and my mom. He planned to never retire—he wanted to be his company's ambassador in his later years so that he could continue traveling the country seeing his "chosen family" aka business associates.

 

My mom works full-time, but her income covered the extras—vacations, dinners, and special moments—while my dad’s paid for the essentials. When he passed unexpectedly, everything changed. We’ve turned over every stone—life insurance, work benefits, and all possible support from the institution he dedicated his life to. Despite exhausting all possible options, my mom is in a challenging position. The reality is, she has limited runway, and while adjustments are inevitable, we’re focused on minimizing the impact and ensuring she has the stability to navigate this transition.

 

Why We’re Fundraising

This fundraiser is about giving my mom time—time to grieve, time to adjust, and time to find her next step without the immediate stress of financial instability. Your support will help cover:

 

Rent and essentials – Allowing her to remain in San Diego, without having to relocate in the near future.

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Financial stability – Giving her breathing room while we work on a long-term plan.

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Transition costs – Helping her with the inevitable changes ahead as she adjusts to life without my dad.

 

My mom didn’t want me to create this fundraiser, and I know my dad is feeling uneasy about it too. But I take full responsibility because, as much as he hated asking for help, his love for my mom was greater than his pride. I know that, deep down, he would want me to do whatever it takes to take care of her—just like he always did.

 

There is absolutely no pressure to donate—your love and support mean everything to us. This tragedy has sent shock waves across the country, and thousands have reached out with kindness, love, and memories of my dad. My Dad, family and I appreciate and love every single one of you. I’m looking forward to seeing those who can attend his celebration of life in March and meeting so many of you for the first time.

 

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support during this difficult time.

 

With gratitude,

Kevin