Candler Clifton Meadors, Jr., age 88 of Athens, passed away Wednesday, February 28, 2018.

He was born September 25, 1929 in Anderson, South Carolina to Candler C. Meadors and Luannah Gaines Meadors. He was raised in Atlanta, GA from age five until he moved to Athens, GA in 1958, where he resided until his death. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Betty Montague, and his beloved great-grandson, Lake Bozman Thompson.

Candler attended Boy’s High School and graduated from Roosevelt High School, where he was the center for the football team and was also voted senior class outstanding student. He graduated from the Atlanta Division of the University of Georgia with a degree in marketing. Upon graduation, he joined the United States Air Force and attended Officer Candidate School, where he became a 2nd LT. He served as supply officer for four years.

He began his career in the automobile business in 1956 at Timmer’s Chevrolet in Atlanta. He moved to Athens in 1958 to work at University Chevrolet. He then worked as General Manager for Heyward Allen Motor Co. for a number of years. He was owner of Meadors Volkswagon and Mercedes until he retired.

Candler was an active member of First United Methodist Church for over fifty years, where he served as Chairman of the Administrative Board and the Staff Parish Committee. He was a member of the Tuck Sunday School Class and was a faithful usher at the 8:30am service for many years.

As a loyal Georgia Bulldog, he held season football and basketball tickets and rarely missed a home game. He kept stats for the basketball games for many years. He was a former president of the Athens Touchdown Club and also was the longest serving secretary-treasurer until his health began to decline. He was also one of the founders of the Monday Morning Quarterback Club.

Candler is survived by Joanne Meadors, the mother of his children, and his three daughters, Patricia Bozman (James), Melissa, and Lanier Barnes (Todd). Candler is also survived by his grandchildren, Anna Bozman Thompson (Travis), Christopher Bozman, Haley Barnes, Erin Barnes, Caroline Barnes, and his great grandchildren, Trindon Thompson and Cambree Thompson.

Also surviving Candler is his sister, Gloria Taylor and nephews, Jason Taylor, Clift Montague and Ted Montague.

A memorial service to honor Candler’s life will be Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at 10:00 AM at the First United Methodist Church, Athens, Georgia. The family will receive friends at the church following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The United For a Cure: the Mary Elizabeth, Melissa, Lake Fund Cure Childhood Cancer, 200 Ashford Center North Suite 250, Atlanta, GA 30338 or online at www.curechildhoodcancer.org/united in memory of his great grandson Lake Bozman, or to First United Methodist Church, 327 North Lumpkin St, Athens, GA 30601.

The family wishes to thank St. Mary’s Highland Hills Memory Care Staff for the love and care they gave to Candler the last year and a half of his life and to Compassionate Care Hospice for their supportive care during his final days.

Lord and Stephens, EAST, is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com

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