Family, friends to remember Victorville teen killed in off-roading collision

A tearful Robert Dees shared how his teenage son was an aspiring young man “who did not live a boring life,” during his short time on earth.

“Chandlyr was an outdoors guy who loved off-roading, working with animals and living life to its fullest,” Robert Dees told the Daily Press on Monday. “He knew how to weld and work heavy equipment. He wanted to be a Navy Seabee when he got out of school.”

Chandlyr Dees, 15, was killed in a collision on New Year’s Day on Standing Rock Avenue, just west of Japatul Road in Apple Valley. First responders reported that Chandlyr was riding an off-road vehicle when he was struck by a driver in another vehicle.

The boy was taken to Provident St. Mary Medical Center in Apple Valley, where he died.

“We don’t know exactly what happened, but the sheriff’s department is still investigating," Robert said.

The following day, Robert and Jessica Dees held each other near a roadside memorial for Chandylr, which included flowers, a candle, a baseball, and written messages from loved ones.

“This last week has not been easy, but we have family and friends who are supporting us,“ Robert said. “I’m just trying to stay busy, keep moving forward, one day at a time.”

The Dees family includes daughters Alex, 23; Novalee, 7; Brynlee 4, and son, Ryland, 9. The family has experienced tragedy before.

"My son, Austin, was 21 when he passed away four years ago, on Jan. 11, after he had a seizure," Robert said. "January is not a good year for me."

'My favorite person, my best friend'

Born at Victor Valley Global Medical Center in Victorville, Chandlyr grew up around livestock as his father transported the animals in a tractor-trailer.

“My family owned a dairy in Chino in the '50s so working livestock is what I grew up doing,” Robert said. “When Chandlyr was a kid, we’d put him on a tractor and he’d scrap the corrals.”

Before he died, Chandlyr told his father, a heavy equipment operator at Hi-Grade Materials, that he’d like to come work with him, if he didn’t join the Navy.

When Chandlyr was 6 years old, he became a junior bull rider for about three years, his father said.

Chandlyr was a student at Apple Valley High School and was involved in Future Farmers of America, according to his friend, Shawna Halstead, the president of the San Bernardino County Junior Fair Board.

Halstead, 17, told the Daily Press that she and Chandlyr, or “Freshie,” both met in April 2020 and quickly became good friends.

“You were my favorite person, my best friend, and were always real with me,” Halstead wrote on Facebook. “One of the few people I could actually talk to and feel comfortable with. You had the biggest heart and not a single mean bone in your body, along with being one of the most badass kids around.”

The SBC JR Fair board posted: “Chandlyr was a terrific young man and a wonderful member of our team. We looked forward to watching him grow as a leader and a mentor to younger exhibitors at our fair. Our hearts are broken and our thoughts and prayers go out to Chandlyr’s family.”

Chandlyr also played in Little League.

“I got Chandlyr involved in T-ball when he was 3 years old,” Robert said. “He took a break to ride bulls, then came back a few years later.”

Apple Valley Little League officials took to Facebook to share their thoughts on the passing of Chandlyr.

“Chandlyr was always so full of energy, smiling, joking and enjoying playing ball,” said former coach Keith Rodriguez. “I have a picture of his first home run. If memory serves me right he scored the game winning run against a Dodgers team we battled all year to advance to the AVLL minor league championship. He’ll be missed!”

Former team parent, Erin Salgado, said that Chandlyr was a "goofball" and made everyone smile.

"He was kind, smart, and gave the sweetest hugs,” Salgado said.

A celebration of life for Chandlyr Dees is scheduled at 11 a.m. on Jan. 21 inside Powell Auditorium at High Desert Church at 14545 Hook Boulevard in Victorville.

Following the ceremony at HDC, a reception will be held with “food, drink and stories” at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds at 14800 Seventh Street in Victorville.

Supporters of the Dees family have set up a GoFundMe account at gofundme.com/f/chandlyr-memorial-services.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Celebration of life scheduled for Apple Valley student Chandlyr Dees