Howard Chambers, 85, died Saturday, February 4, 2012 peacefully at home surrounded by his family.Originally from Western North Carolina, he moved to Miami in 1952 where he married and raised his family. He moved to Gainesville in 2006.A Navy flyer in WWII aboard a Coronado seaplane, he transported wounded from Saipan in the Pacific to the Hawaiian Islands.After the war he met Margarita Beraza and they were married in 1953. They settled in Miami and he worked for National Airlines, Pan Am, and Ryder Aviation until retiring in 1992.Howard enjoyed gardening, stamp and coin collecting and most of all, spending time with his family. Throughout the years he travelled to many places with his wife by his side. After retirement he donated time to Fairchild Botanical Gardens in Miami and the public library.He is survived by his wife of 59 years Margarita Chambers, his sons Edward Chambers and Alex (Rhonda) Chambers and his grandchildren Annie and Aaron, all of Gainesville.His quiet kindness and peaceful demeanor were an inspiration to all who knew him, especially to his loving family, who will miss him every day.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Haven HospiceFuneral Services will be at 3:30 PM on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 in the Chapel in the Meadows at Forest Meadows Central, 4100 NW 39th Avenue, Gainesville and interment with Military Honors will follow. Funeral Home Forest Meadows Funeral Home 725 NW 23rd Avenue Gainsville FL - 32609 US 352-378-2528