David Eugene Chapman

David Eugene Chapman passed away at the age of 93 on November 4, 2022, shortly after midnight. He was born on October 24, 1929, in Cleveland Tennessee to his parents, LM Chapman and Anna Margret Jones Chapman.

David attended Bradley Central High School where he played basketball and excelled in the sport his senior year as high scorer for the team. After graduating high school in 1947, David accepted a basketball scholarship to attend Hiwassee College in Madisonville Tennessee. It was only a few months after enrollment that David realized that he was not ready for college and his heart led him to join the United States Air Force. Once enlisted, David spent time at several duty stations before requesting to be transferred to Fairbanks Alaska. While he was stationed in Fairbanks, David’s heart again led him back home to Cleveland to marry the love of his life, Nancy Ann Armstrong. The newlywed couple returned to the base in Fairbanks Alaska where they shared their first year of marriage, making many happy memories that they often shared with their friends and family. The final six months of David’s military service was served at Hamilton Air Force Base in California. At the end of his tour of duty in 1952, David and Nancy moved back to Cleveland.

After returning to Cleveland, David used the GI bill to continue his college education now at Tennessee Tech. David and Nancy spent the next four years in Cookeville Tennessee while David pursued his Business Management Degree. During their stay in Cookeville, they enjoyed time with several special lifelong friends also from Cleveland. As he began his working career, David had a few jobs before finding his home at Magic Chef. He worked with the company as Director of Materials, Product Planning and Scheduling until his retirement at age 58. It has been said by many that David served his company well.

During retirement, David spent his time doing the things he loved most. His greatest joy came from spending time with his family and friends, and golf. It was his fondness of people and tremendous love of golf which led him to join the Cleveland Country Club in the early 1960’s. David was often seen on the course where he played his favorite game of golf well into his 80’s.

David and Nancy were married for 60 happy years until Nancy’s death in 2011. Together, they had three very loved children, Mark Chapman, Lisa (Keith) Collins, and Sondra Chapman, who passed two days after birth. David was also preceded in death by two sisters, Betty Rogers and Shirley McCurry, and is survived by brother, John Chapman and sister, Harriet Runion and many nieces and nephews.

David also leaves behind three special grandchildren, Casey (Emily) Collins, Colt Collins, and Michelle Dover. He had seven great-grandchildren with one on the way and two great-great-grandchildren. David loved his family well.

David lived a long and happy life. He will always be remembered for his devotion as a husband and as a loving father and grandfather. He was a special man that left a mark on those who knew him, and he will be deeply missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, November 10, 2022, 2:00 PM, at Companion Funeral Home in Cleveland. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1:00 – 2:00. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens with Military Honors and a white dove release.