Jerry Chambers, well-known owner of Jerry Chambers Chevrolet Cadillac auto dealership, died suddenly late Tuesday.

A family spokeswoman said Chambers, 58, began experiencing chest pains at about 11:30 p.m. Paramedics could not revive him.

Jerry Chambers got involved in the car business at fourteen, training to be a mechanic. He worked in service and maintenance before moving into sales.

In 1973 he became part-owner of the Chevrolet car dealership in Ferndale where he had been working. He assumed full ownership in 1983 and moved the dealership to Bellingham in 1987.

He was active in civic organizations such as Rotary and United Way, and recently served on the board of the Whatcom County Public Facilities District.

He took pride in a reputation for working eleven hour days and dishing out straight talk.

"I call an ace an ace and a spade a spade, to my customers as well as my employees," he said in a 1988 interview.

Dave Koehler, sales manager and employee since 1990, said the force of Chambers’ personality made him well-known among GM executives and car dealers nationwide.

"He knew those guys on a first-name basis," Koehler said. "He worked really hard to put a small-town dealer on the map."

Jerry Chambers was also proud of his ability to make a powerful impression, Koehler said, quoting some of his boss’s favorite sayings: "I alakazam 'em … You gotta put the sizzle in 'em."

"He liked that word, alakazam," Koehler said. "It wasn't smoke and mirrors. It was hard work."

Because of it's commitment to customer service we have been chosen by Chevrolet as a genuine leader in both sales and service, and by Cadillac as a master dealer. Both of these awards are given only to the best GM dealers committed to customer service.


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