Indianapolis, Indiana - Doyle Michael "Mike" Chambers, 72, of Indianapolis, passed away suddenly on April 11, 2026. Born on December 17, 1953, in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Mike was the son of Doyle and Luella Chambers.The family moved to Baton Rouge when his father accepted a position in agriculture at LSU, and it was there that Mike spent the majority of his formative years.

Mike attended Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, where he played basketball and was deeply involved in Boy Scout Troop 12. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and carried the values of Scouting with him throughout his life. He later served as Scoutmaster for a group of blind boys in Louisiana and for Troop 276 in Indianapolis. Mike lived by one of the mottos of scouting founder Robert Baden-Powell: "Leave this world a better place than you found it."

He earned his BS and MS degrees in Entomology from Louisiana State University in 1976 and 1978. While at LSU, he worked as a trainer for the basketball team under legendary coach Dale Brown and also assisted with the football team. College basketball remained one of his greatest lifelong passions.

After graduation, Mike worked in Louisiana as an entomologist, focusing on mosquito control and rodent abatement. He went on to earn his Ph.D. in Entomology from Clemson University in 1988. He then joined Dow Chemical as an entomologist and relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, where he met his wife, Deborah. They married in 1990. In 1994, Mike and his family moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, which became a beloved fourth home to him after Oklahoma, Louisiana and Tennessee.

Shortly after beginning his career at Dow, Mike faced a devastating cancer diagnosis with a poor prognosis. With the unwavering love and support of his wife, family, colleagues, and lifelong friends Carl and Diana Luikhart, he beat cancer against all odds and it never returned.

Mike enjoyed a long and varied 31-year career with Dow Chemical and its successor companies, holding roles that included field specialist, R&D leader, human resources manager, and many others. He retired from Corteva Agriscience as a data and training coordinator.

Mike and Deborah were blessed with two children: Andrew (born 1993) and Mariella (born 1997). He was a devoted and loving father who cherished spending time with them. He enjoyed camping and outdoor adventures with Andrew through Boy Scouts and coached his Little League team. With Mariella, he loved trips to the zoo and wrote many special stories just for her.

Mike had a deep love for his Cajun heritage, cooking authentic Cajun food for family and friends. He was an avid traveler, both stateside and abroad. Mike was known for his strong positive outlook on life and for being a genuine joy to be around. His kindness, resilience and dedication to helping others left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Deborah Chambers; his son, Andrew Chambers; his daughter, Mariella Chambers; his sisters, Linda Webster of Austin, Texas, and Dorothy LeBlanc of Baton Rouge,Louisiana; and many dear friends and colleagues.

Memorial contributions can be made in his name to the Boy Scouts of America, or for cancer research.