Gary D. Chapman
September 04, 2014
A Celebration of Life Service for Gary Dale Chapman, 72, will be held at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street at 2:30 p.m. Monday, September 8, 2014. A private burial will take place at Waveland Cemetery in Prairie City, Iowa.
Gary was born in Springfield, MO to Clarence and Mildred (Andersen) Chapman. When he was 11, he moved to Orondo, WA where he enjoyed picking fruit in his parents’ orchard. He played basketball for Eastmont High School and after graduation in 1959 joined the United States Navy to serve as a Chief Petty Officer. He worked as a radar man and enjoyed traveling to several places including Key West, Florida, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
In 1965, Gary moved to Des Moines and joined Plumbers and Steamfitters Local #33. During his 30+ years as a plumber for Cutler Corporation, he worked on numerous construction projects across the Des Moines metro area including Principle Park.
Gary was a man of great character who was blessed with many talents. He had the ability to hear a song once and then play it on the piano. He could fix almost anything and was constantly working on projects. He enjoyed working in the yard at his church, Clifton Heights Presbyterian Church, until it was closed. His other hobbies included basketball, bowling, golf, woodworking, remodeling, guitar, singing, camping, fishing, traveling, Tae Kwon Do, and watching the Iowa Hawkeyes.
He was in the process of earning his black belt in Tae Kwon Do and had made it to a high brown-belt when his life was complicated by a brain tumor in 2003. After surgery, he worked hard at rehab and learned how to talk and walk again. He was eventually able to resume doing many of the things he loved - just at a slower pace. Through all of the challenges he faced during the past 11 years, he managed to maintain his quick wit and keep his family laughing.
Gary is survived by Jewell (Beck) his wife of 48 years; his children; Faith Lovejoy, Tracy Oedzes, and Dr. John Chapman; two grandchildren; Kyle and Abby Oedzes; and his sisters Carolyn Johnson and Connie Prynne.
We would like to extend our thanks to Unity Point Hospice at Home as well as the staff at Taylor House for all of their caring assistance.
Memorial contributions in Gary’s name may be directed to CROSS Ministries at Cottage Grove Presbyterian Church.
Online condolences may be expressed at
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Perry Chandler
09/09/2014
Jewel, Carolyn, Connie and the Chapman family. Gary was a dear friend to me when we were growing up, and although we lost touch in later years I always had great respect for his character and the fine man that he was. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him. Rest in peace my friend.
Marlin Lannoye
09/08/2014
Jewell, I am really sad to hear of Gary's passing. Gary was a GREAT guy and friend all through our high school years. We played sport's together and had a lot of great times. He will be missed.
Betty and Rich Sandy
09/08/2014
Jewell,
Please know that our thoughts, love, and prayers are with you during this time of Gary's passing. Rich and I send you and your family our deepest sympathy. Gary was a great guy and a beautiful Christian man of deep and quiet faith. He will be missed by us all.
Gunnar Carlson
09/08/2014
My heart and prayers go out to the Chapman family. May God give you comfort and peace during this difficult time.
Ron Brixey
09/08/2014
So sorry to hear of Gary's passing. We played basketball together at Eastmont High and I consider Gary to have been an absentee friend. I plan to see him again in Heaven. As a member of the "Class of 59" he will never be forgotten. Jewel our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Maxine Wallace
09/07/2014
Gary was a special nephew of mine.
remember the days we spent talking,laughing,singing and so many fun times together, I will be there tomorrow in spirit-Blessing's to all the family...
Dot Guthrie Roberts
09/07/2014
Sorry to hear of your loss of Gary. Attended high school with him and always liked him. Thinking of your family.
Pam (Dougherty) Root
09/07/2014
So sorry for your loss, I didn't know Gary, but I grew up with his wife Jewell. My prayers are with u and your family, I know how hard it is to lose a loved one, I lost my younger sister in April of this year
David and Lois (Trapp) Van Selus
09/07/2014
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
Angie Long
09/06/2014
Thinking of you all during this time of grief and loss.
Jim Buhring
09/06/2014
Jewell, I can't tell you how sad I was to hear the news of Gary's passing. My thoughts are with you and yours today and in the future and I pray for your peace and understanding of God's will. Gary was a good man, who gave far more than he took away. Surely God has special plans for him now. I'm glad that I could still call him friend although it has been many years since I've seen him. May the Good Lord comfort you and yours through this difficult time and for all the days to come.
Dale and Emily Conley
09/06/2014
Dear Jewel and family,
We pray for you to have strength in the coming days and weeks. We think of you often and remember the good times we all spent together.
Kathy Oedzes
09/06/2014
I have a wonderful memory of Gray and Jewel at the wedding of their daughter, Tracy.
They were dancing and Gary looked so handsome in his tux and Jewel so beautiful in her long gown.
They were looking into each others eyes and smiling and laughing. I think they were having a wonderful time! For some,reason, I have never forgotten that, it was so heartwarming.
Gary chose Jesus Christ as his personal savior and will have eternal life in heaven. The angels were singing on September 5th and God greeted Gary at the gates of heaven. He is young again dancing and singing in heaven hearing his beloved music.
May God keep his protecting arms
around the friends and family of the Chapman family always.