James K. Candler
James K. Candler graduated from Andrew Lewis High School in 1954. A fine athlete and student, he played three years of varsity football, basketball and track. Playing guard on the football team, he was named All City-County, All Western District, and All-State. As an added honor, the Salem Rotary Club selected him as “Most Outstanding Player” on the football team.
Receiving a scholarship that covered a portion of expenses, Jim attended the University of Virginia and for four years excelled athletically and academically. He played offensive and defensive lineman for the varsity football team, was selected a resident counselor based on strong leadership qualities, was made president of his fraternity, wand a member of several honorary organizations. In 1958, Jim graduated from the University with a BA degree in Psychology.
His first employment was with Exxon Company, USA where he remained for 10 years. In 1968, Jim established and became the owner and president of Candler Oil Company, Inc., the Exxon distributor for all of central Virginia, with offices and facilities at Lynchburg. The business continues to be an important contributor to the area economy and has been the recipient of a National Exxon Award for Excellence in Quality.
Dedicated to community service, Jim serves on the Board of Central Health, Inc. (formerly Virginia Baptist Hospital); Trigon Blue Cross/Blue Shield; Virginia Petroleum Jobbers Association; Salvation Army; Step-With-Links, Inc.; Greater Lynchburg Community Trust; and Amazement Square, a proposed children’s museum. He was also served or is currently serving as chairman or co-chairman of most of these organizations. Jim is also a member of the Lynchburg Host Lions Club and belongs to the Peakland Baptist Church, where he chairs the Finance Committee, serves as Treasurer and is a member of the Executive Council.
Past activities include serving as a member of the Commonwealth Transportation Board and a member of the Board of Managers of the University of Virginia Alumni Association including service as president in 1989-90 and as chairman of the Jefferson Scholars Advisory Committee in 1987-89. For seven years, he was on the university’s Virginia Student Aid Foundation Board and was president in 1984. From 1986-82 he was a member of the Board of the Lynchburg Chapter National Conference of Christians and Jews. From 1987-90 he was a Board member of the Commonwealth of Virginia Public Schools Au5hority serving as vice chairman in 1989. For nine years he served on the Lynchburg Public School Board and was chairman for five years. He also served as president of the Lynchburg Chapter UVA Alumni Association.
Over the years, Jim has received many honors for his participation in community and civic activities. These include being the Hunton YMCA Community Service Award honoree, the Lynchburg Chapter National Conference of Christians and Jews Brotherhood Citation honoree, recipient of the Greater Lynchburg Chamber of Commerce Pro-Opera Civica Award, recipient of the Lynchburg Bar Association Liberty Bell Award, and the University of Virginia Raven Society Distinguished Alumni Award.
Jim and his wife, Maxine, have two children who are James Cole Candler and Mary Kaye Candler Thomas. Grandchildren include Lewis, Christopher and Timothy Thomas and, Ashley and Wade Candler.
In recognition of his outstanding career achievements, James K. Chandler was inducted in 1998 into the Salem Alumni Hall of Fame established by the Salem Educational Foundation and Alumni Association.
