Tributes

Wanda Marie Chandler Rohm went to be with her Lord and Savior on November 15, 2016 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Las Cruces, New Mexico on August 1, 1946 to Lamar James and Minta Cockrum Chandler and was the youngest of five children. She was preceded in death by her husband of 30 years, John A. Rohm, her parents as well as her brothers Dale Hennessy, Marion James, and Clarence Darrow (Sonny) and her sister, Minta Chandler Gowan. She is survived by her beloved daughter, Chandler Marie Mross and husband Travis Mross and her wonderful grandson, Chance as well as her very special nephew, Dr. Tom Gowan and wife Suzanne and their precious daughters Oralia, Savannah and Nataliya. Wanda is also survived by many family members and a legion of friends. Wanda moved with her parents to Quemado, TX in 1949 where she attended elementary and junior high school. She graduated from Eagle Pass High School where she was a popular and accomplished student. She had a burning desire to make a better life for herself and she put herself thru college first at Southwest Texas Junior College earning an Associate’s Degree and Texas Tech University with a Bachelor Degree in Latin American Studies. She was recognized in 1966 Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities as well as the Dean’s Honor List at Texas Tech. One of her most cherished times was the summer she spent in Mexico City at the Universidad de las Americas where she lived with the Brito family and learned the Spanish language that she loved to speak. Wanda had a lifelong love affair with Mexico and the last of her many trips was to Tulum where she relaxed on Soliman Bay in September of this year. Following college, she worked in Dallas for Texas Bank and after the death of her father, she moved to Poteet where she taught second grade before taking on the job of Social Secretary to the BK Johnson family. Her position with the Johnson family allowed her to hone the organizational, political and social skills that helped her when she started her successful business, Presto Printing, in 1983. Presto specialized in a revolutionary printing process for the time and Wanda was successful in landing significant contracts with The State of Texas, Southwestern Bell, Mission Parks Funeral Homes, Stanley Smith Security, Builder’s Square, Red McCombs and hundreds of other large and small businesses. Wanda used her experience as a small business owner to advocate at the State and Federal level with NFIB (National Federation of Independent Business) for legislation that would help small businesses thrive. She continued to serve on the board of NFIB until her death. Wanda served on many boards during her career and received numerous honors. Some of the boards she served on include the Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Women in Business, Network Power, National Association of Women Business Owners, Business Opportunities of Texas, Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, State of Texas DIR and the Ronald McDonald House. Just a few of her many honors were the Alice Franske Award from the Women’s Chamber of Commerce and twice winning Small Business Leader of the Year for the Greater Chamber of Commerce. Her hobbies were many. She was a notoriously bad cook, but she was a world class party giver who could pull a fun party together faster than most people can make toast because she knew how to get everyone involved. Wanda was a nationally ranked skeet shooter and could outshoot most men. She was a member of the Ladies League for many years. Labor Day weekend was the highlight of the year for this avid whitewing dove hunter. She was a Life Member of the San Antonio Gun Club and she served on the Board of Directors for many years chairing many events and fundraisers. Wanda loved many types of crafting, gardening and reading. But her favorite hobby was travel. In addition to traveling in the US, some of the countries she visited in her world travels include Mexico, Bulgaria, Holland, Yalta, Jordan, Romania, South Korea, Miramar, Burma, Malaysia, Singapore, Borneo, Cambodia, Turkey, Greece, Indonesia, Russia, Georgia, Ukraine, the Black Sea, Egypt, Bali, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Costa Rica, Mongolia, Peru, Chile, France, Italy, Venice, Spain, Argentina, and her lifelong dream of Cuba in January of 2016, . Everywhere she went, she collected treasures to bring home for family and friends. Her skill at packing was legendary. She never left home without an extra bag or two for her treasures, tape, a roll of bubble wrap and she was known to leave her clothes behind to make room for souvenirs! Wanda loved being a businesswoman, but her most beloved roles of all were those of mother, wife, aunt and grandmother. Her grandson knows her as “Abuelita”. Her nephew’s daughters know her as “Grandma Tortilla”. She lovingly cared for her family whether they were near or far and she never lost touch with those she loved. Nothing was as important to her as her family although her friends, employees and others felt included in her extended family. She had a special way of blending people together and had the gift of being a lifelong friend to several very special people. Wanda made friends wherever she went and thru her life she maintained those friendships with kindness, thoughtfulness and generosity. Her life can be counted an enormous success by how well loved and respected she was by her family and friends; a life that will live on with beautiful memories. The family invites you to a visitation on Thursday, November 17th from 6pm to 8pm at Mission Park Funeral Chapel North located at 3401 Cherry Ridge in San Antonio. Services celebrating Wanda’s life will be at the same location on Friday, November 18th at 10AM. Wanda will be laid to rest at a graveside ceremony at Valley Cemetery in Quemado, TX at 4:30PM on Friday, November 18th. Honorary pallbearers include nephew; Dr. Tom Gowan, son in law; Travis Mross, Gary Hammon, Walter Herring, Pierre McCarble, Steve Smallwood and nephew; Rodney Rapp. In lieu of flowers, the family gratefully suggests that you send a donation to the ThriveWell Cancer Foundation, The Friends of the San Antonio Gun Club or the charity of your choice.

Tributes

Wanda Marie Chandler Rohm

August 1, 2016 - November 15, 2016