Boen "Bo" Chambers
Boen "Bo" Chambers of Ringgold, Georgia, and formerly of Glencoe, Alabama, and Ocean Springs, Mississippi, passed away peacefully on September 10, 2022, In Ringgold, Georgia.
He was born on Feb. 12, 1928, in the Indian Mountain Community in Comanche County, Tx. He was the fourth child of Charlie Lee Chambers and Besse Chambers. He was a born again Christian and attended Glencoe Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Glencoe, Al., and Peavine Baptist Church in Rock Springs, Ga.
Boen was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Lawson Chambers, sons, John Boen Chambers and Robert Lee Chambers, two sisters, Jolene Loza and Norma Jean Skeen, his brothers L.C. Chambers and Don Chambers, his nephews, Jim Skeen, Ray Roberts and David Chambers, and stepson, John Storey.
He leaves to cherish his memories his son, Glenn Chambers of Ciboure, France and his daughter, Roberta Chambers of Taos, NM and his brother WJ Chambers Mt. View, CA, grandson, Colin Williams Pueblo, CO, step daughter Christian Wright Columbia, TN, niece, Judy Keith and her spouse Roy of RInggold, GA and eight nieces and nephews.
Boen attended Adams State College in Alamosa, CO, and the University of Colorado, Southern Mississippi University and the Air Force Community College. He proudly served his country for 38 years in the US military. He began his service during WWII when he was a junior in high school with the Texas State Guard in Weslaco, TX. He enlisted in the US Army at 18 and also served in the Colorado Air National Guard and the US Air Force. His many assignments included the 36th Combat Engineer Group in the Korean War and the 14th Special Operations Wing at Nah Trang and Pleiku Air Base in Vietnam. His last assignment was Duty Inspector General at Keesler Technical Training Center Biloxi, MS. He retired there as a Chief Master Sergeant and received 23 awards and decorations for his outstanding service and leadership.
His awards included the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, AF Commendation Medal, AF Outstanding Unit Award, WWII Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Award, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and the United Nations Service Medal.
In addition to his military service he owned and operated a wholesale distributing business and was a realtor for 10 years after his military retirement. Boen was active in sports and enjoyed fishing for rainbow trout in the Rocky Mountains and boating and fishing in the Gulf of Mexico.
He enjoyed the competition of league bowling most of his adult life. He began playing golf at the age of 70 and enjoyed it for many years. He was an avid fan of the Atlanta Braves for years.
He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and VFW Post 10408 in Glencoe, AL, the US Golf Association and was a longtime supporter of the Air Force Enlisted Village for Widows in FL. He wanted to extend a very special thanks to his niece Judy Keith and her husband Roy for years of loving assistance and care during the past few years of his life.
Interment will be in the National Cemetery in Biloxi, Ms., including a ceremony with military honors and a memorial for family and friends at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 4.
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