Mitchell area lineman Chandler Bakley, known to many as Chuck, passed away in an automobile accident on Jan. 16 at the age of 27. This loss impacts the co-op family deeply, affecting both Central Electric and Lacreek Electric in Martin, where his mom, Sherry, and brother, Jordon, both work.
Chandler was born May 5, 1998, to Mike and Sherry Bakley in Pine Ridge. He spent his young years growing up in the family home in Martin where he attended the Bennett County Grade School, Junior High and High School.
While growing up he participated in football, wrestling, baseball, 4-H shooting sports, hunting, fishing and being annoyingly good at anything and everything he tried. During the summers, he spent most of his time working alongside Grandpa Bennett on the family farm, as well as playing cowboy for family and friends.
After high school, Chandler attended Dakota Wesleyan University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Ag Business and working for Lacreek Electric as summer help. However, one degree wasn’t enough for Chandler, as he continued his education at Mitchell Technical College and graduated from the Power Line Construction and Maintenance program. Soon after graduation, Chandler secured a job as an apprentice lineman at Central Electric.
On Oct. 19, 2024, Chandler married Angie McDonnell. The two lived together in Mitchell while Chandler continued working as an apprentice lineman for Central Electric.
Chandler played amateur baseball for the Winner-Colome Pheasants during the summers and was known to regularly attend the “Old Man’s” group on Wednesday nights. You could find him out on the local golf course on any given day, or up bright and early hunting in a rural field. Occasionally, he might be spending a night playing blackjack in Deadwood. If he wasn’t out and about, he was probably at home playing Gordon Ramsey in his own kitchen. Chuck had an “all-in” attitude towards anything he was a part of, from a friendly game of cards or cornhole to dominating on the baseball diamond. He made sure the time he spent with family and friends was only of the highest quality, ensuring to give them all the attention and care they needed.
Surviving Chandler is his wife, Angie; parents Mike and Sherry; brother Jordon, wife Noelle, and their children Teagan, Reid, and Maisyn; brother Tyler and wife Anna; sister Erica; and grandmothers Jean Bakley and Toni Milk. He was preceded in death by grandfathers Bennett Bakley and Joe Milk, and great uncle Ron Haag.