March 20, 1932 ~ December 13, 2012
Donald Leroy Chapman of Caldwell, Kansas passed away on Thursday, December 13, 2012 at the age of 80. Don was born on March 20, 1932 to Joy (Potwin) and Donald Chapman in Larned, Kansas. He was raised in and around Arkansas City, Kansas. He worked for Boeing Company and Coca Cola, Wichita, Kansas.
In 1959, he moved to Oakland, California where he met his wife Laverne Wallis. They were married on March 6, 1965. In 1972 they moved to Denver, Colorado where they lived for 31 years. Don worked as a welder at Woody’s Welding Service and Mountain Steel. After Don retired he and Laverne moved to Caldwell, Kansas.
Don had a passion for gardening. He would work hours to be the first to plant and we would get to enjoy his tomatoes at Thanksgiving. If you couldn’t find him at home, he would be fishing on the river.
Don enjoyed building things but he loved to make handrails for the neighbors and steel silhouettes. He displayed them on his fence so the whole town could enjoy them.
He belonged to the El Jebel Shrine in Denver, Colorado and the Sumner Lodge #203 in Caldwell, Kansas.
He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, numerous aunts, uncles and a grandson, Donavon Mallette.
He is survived by his wife Laverne of Caldwell, Kansas; sons, Don Chapman and his wife Chris of Geuda Springs, Kansas, Jack Chapman and his wife Cindy of Antiock, California, Danny Chapman of Kansas; daughters, Deborah McNeil and her husband Mark of Caldwell, Kansas, Peggy Strickland of Klamath Falls, Oregon, Vickie Bently and her husband Rod of Ponca City, Oklahoma, Patricia Nispel and her husband Mike of Rice Lake, Wisconsin; step-daughter Tammy Tocci of Hayward, California; seventeen grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren; and cousin, Ron and Andy Smith of San Antonio, Texas.
A memorial service will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, December 22, 2012 at the Schaeffer Mortuary Chapel in Caldwell.
Memorials may be given in Don's name to the Sumner County District #1 Hospital or to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Leave Condolences
Condolences
April Carnegie
Family and Friends - 12/17/2012
Lavern-
I am so sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you and your family always. God Bless you.
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Stephen & Brenda Brown
Family and Friends - 12/20/2012
Laverne and Debbie,
So very sorry about the loss of your husband and father.
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John LeRoy Chapman
Family and Friends - 12/21/2012
You will be forever missed. I love you Grandpa.
