Darrel Ray Chapman
Obituaries
Daily Sentinal page 5A - June 18, 2022
Darrel Ray
Chapman
October 26, 1929 - June 13, 2022
Darrel Ray Chapman
died on June 13, 2022 from
results of COPD.
My parents, Myrtle and
Glen Chapman lived in
Bethune, CO when my
twin sister, Darlene, and
I were born at home. We
were tiny babies. She
weighed 3 pounds and I
weighed 4 pounds. An
older sister, Wilda and a
younger sister, Glenda,
completed our family.
Both sets of grand
parents lived close by on
good farms which they
homesteaded.
I learned to hunt jack rabbits for supper. I followed
my grandfather Warren on his trap line. I learned to
run home when I saw the terrible dust storm on the
horizon. I learned to start the big iron wheeled John
Deere tractor and drive it in the corn fields all day. I
spent many summers on the farm with my Warren
grandparents.
In 1935, my family moved to Colorado Springs where
I went to school and graduated from Colorado Springs
High School in 1949.
1950, the Korean war erupted. I enlisted in the
US Air Force July of 1951. After basic training and
communication school, I was deployed to Korea to the
combat zone, June 1952 to June 1953. The remainder
of my enlistment was spent in South Carolina manning
communications sites in the field. I returned to Colorado
in 1955.
In 1956 I became employed by Universal CIT for 10
years, in Denver. And I married and became the father
of 4 children, Jule, Sandy, Jeff and Scott.
In 1992, their mother, Irene, passed away.
In 1966, Ford Motor Credit Company offered me a
position as a sales rep. And in 1973, I moved to Grand
Junction as branch manager of the local Ford Motor
Credit office. After 20 years, I retired.
In 1982, I met my blue eyed lady, Sue, who I love
dearly. We married May 12, 1989. And I added to my
family, Sue’s 5 adult children, Stephen, Don, Kieth,
Brenda and Jayne.
Sue and I have had so much fun in our travels to
Hawaii, Alaska, the East Coast, Europe and the Cayman
Island, swimming with the sting rays and even skydiving
in Moab with grandkids! We made a wonderful and
inspiring trip to Brazil. We hiked the Grand Mesa and
Colorado Monument as often as possible
Our big wonderful family now consists of 9 adult
children, 7 adult in law spouses, 30 adult grand kids
and 49 great grand kids.
In the year 2005, I lost my eye sight to Macular
Degeneration. Thanks to the GJ VA Medical Center,
I attended the Tucson Blind Rehab hospital. Coming
home, I was immediately included in to the recreation
program at the VA. We played golf, bowled, tossed
horse shoes and played shuffle board.
I was very happy to be included in the National
Veterans Golden Age Games for 5 years. It was exciting
to participate with thousands of disabled veterans from
all 50 states.
I am so very thankful for my wonderful life. I have
truly loved my family, each and every one. And I have
enjoyed many true friendships.
I do thank God for blessings through out my entire
life time.
