Carroll Chapman

Carroll Bert Chapman, 81, died peacefully in his sleep at home in Abilene, Thursday, March 13, 2014. His earthly body succumbed to heart failure, and he is now rejoicing with his heavenly Father. Carroll was born August 10, 1932 in a farmhouse near the Double Mountains in Fisher County. His parents were L. A. and Willie Faye Whitworth Chapman. Carroll grew up in Snyder, Texas and Colorado City, Texas, where he graduated from high school in 1949.

Carroll Chapman attended Texas AM University, Class of 53. He married Ramona Brust in Rogers, Arkansas, January 25, 1954. They settled in Abilene and in January 2014 celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. To this marriage were born two sons, John Leonard Chapman, 1954 and Carroll Douglas Doug Chapman, 1956. Carroll worked 13 years for the Texas Highway Department after which he joined the firm of Tippett and Gee Consulting Engineers, retiring in 1998.

A lifelong Methodist, Carroll served for many years in various lay leadership positions in the Methodist Church and was a member of First United Methodist Church, Abilene, Texas for 38 years. Carroll was firmly anchored to the Abilene Community Band for 33 years playing his trumpet as he had in the Fightin Texas Aggie Band. He rarely missed a rehearsal or concert. An avid Aggie, Carroll was a member of the Abilene AM Club, and looked forward every fall to hawking French fries from the Aggie French Fry Booth at the West Texas Fair. Carroll was a loyal Democrat and attended every precinct convention of the Democratic Party from 1956 to 2012, many of those years serving as Precinct Chairman and delegate to the State Convention of the Democratic Party. One of Carrolls proudest accomplishments was the major role he played in the 2000 campaign with the Abilenians for Better Dental Health. The successful election in November of that year allowed Abilene to add fluoride to the citys water supply, overturning a 1964 ban against fluoride.

Carrolls memorial service will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, March 22nd in the sanctuary of First Methodist Church at South 2nd and Butternut Streets. He is survived by his wife, Ramona, his brother John Bruce Chapman of Lords Valley, PA two sons, John Leonard Chapman and wife Laura San Pedro, CA Carroll Douglas Doug Chapman, Albuquerque, NM grandson Nathaniel Chapman, Mission Viejo, CA granddaughters Brittney Passons, Lubbock, TX and Natalie Chapman, Lubbock, TX greatgranddaughter Elena Johnson, Lubbock, TX as well as multiple cousins, nieces, and nephews. Carroll was predeceased by his sister Teresa Chapman Wood, Beaver, OK and his parents, Guymon, OK.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: First United Methodist Church Food Pantry, 202 Butternut Street, Abilene, TX 79602 Abilene AM Scholarship Fund, PO Box 884, Abilene, TX 79604 or Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory St, Abilene, TX 79601.

The family wishes to express their deep appreciation of and gratitude to Hendrick Hospice Care, especially Becky and Kim, as well as to Drs. Barry Moak, Udaya Swarna, and Mohammed AlSayad.

Online condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.familymemories.johnlchapman.com.

Service

Memorial Service

First United Methodist Church
1202 S. 3rd
Merkel, TX  79536
Saturday, March 22, 2014
1 PM

Cemetery

Elmwood Memorial Park
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606

Memorial Contributions

1318 South 2nd Street
Abilene, TX  79602


PO Box 884
Abilene, TX  79604


PO Box 1922
Abilene, TX  79604