James D. Chapman

Master Sergeant James Darryl Chapman, 86, passed away peacefully surrounded by friends and family at a local hospital on Monday, September 12, 2022. James was a decorated veteran who served in the Vietnam War and spent another 19 years in the reserves.

James was born on December 18, 1935 in Palestine, Texas to his parents James and Trannie. When he was just 20, James decided he wanted to join the Air Force and was stationed at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas. James would go on to serve in the Vietnam War with some of his closest friends.

After serving in Vietnam, James spent 19 years in the Civil Service/Reserves at Bergstrom Airforce Base outside of Austin in the 924th Unit. There he met Lily Lee Knori, who he soon married in 1987. They spent time with their 924th “family of friends” who knew them as “Slick & Lee”. James and Lee chose to settle in the town of Cedar Creek, Texas just outside of Bastrop where they enjoyed making memories with their family and friends.

When he wasn’t working, James had a passion for photography, Harley Davidson motorcycles, Westerns, and making bullets. James was a member of the local Harley Davidson motorcycle group and loved working on his Chevrolet Corvette.

James was predeceased by his daughter, Linda Marie Chapman, and step-daughter, Terri Lynn Cobb. He is survived by his wife Lily Lee Chapman, his three sons James Elliot Chapman, Darryl Glenn Chapman, Paul David Chapman, and his step-son Gary Dean Baker, his step-daughter Sandra Elizabeth Carey, 11 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.

There will be a funeral ceremony held on Friday, September 23rd at 2:00pm at Marrs-Jones-Newby Funeral Home in Bastrop with a visitation on Thursday, September 22nd from 4-7pm.

To assist the family with funeral expenses, a GoFundMe was created: https://gofund.me/0bb6dce1