James "Jim" Robert Chapman

James Robert Chapman, of Independence, Missouri, went to be with the lord on Thursday, February 23, 2023. He was 77 years old.
Jim was born to James and Dorothy Chapman on August 23, 1945 in Fort Scott, Kansas. He attended and graduated from Fort Scott High School and went on to serve in the Army National Guard. After his time with the military, Jim returned home and began work. In November of 1965, he was introduced to a sweet girl named Elizabeth through a mutual friend, and they quickly fell in love. They married on January 8, 1966, and from their union came four children: Brenda, Jim, Dana, and Denise. Shortly after their marriage, he and Elizabeth moved their growing family to Kansas City to be closer to his employer, Midwestern Truck Line. Jim had many diesel-mechanic jobs throughout the years but had retired from Westfall Mack in August of 2010. In his free time, Jim loved to travel. He took many trips with his sweetheart; Canada, the Smoky Mountains, Niagara Falls, and even Hawaii. Road trips were his favorite, he especially loved taking backroads and roads less traveled. He was notorious for never taking the same route twice! When he wasn’t on the road, you could find Jim indulging in old westerns on TV, perhaps snacking on a bag of plain potato chips. He loved food- bologna, eggs, bacon- but there was nothing he loved more than his family. His children and his grandbabies were his whole world. Jim was so kind and generous; he would be there for anyone anytime they needed him. He had an impeccable sense of direction and there was nothing he couldn’t fix. He was such a special person. He will be so dearly missed.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents; James W. and Dorothy M. Chapman, his siblings; Paul Chapman and Virginia Warren, his brothers-in-law; John Richey and Ricky Graham, and his mother and father-in-law; Jim and Lydia Gardner. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years; Elizabeth Chapman, his children; Brenda Maples (Bruce), Jim Chapman (Cindi), Dana Hackworth (Tom), and Denise Woodard (Trenton), his siblings; Frances Richey, Paula Graham, Emmett Chapman (Doylene), and Joe Chapman, his grandchildren; Sami Chapman, Paxton Hackworth, Kendall Maples, Jason Chapman, Brooklynn Woodard, Keegan Maples, Theron Hackworth, Cohen Hackworth, and Spencer Maples, one great-grandchild; Kylan Cypret, and several nieces and nephews.
A visitation will take place on Sunday, February 26, 2023, at Speaks Suburban Chapels (18020 E 39th St. Independence, MO 64055) from 5-7pm. A graveside service will follow the next morning at 10am at Clarksburg Cemetery in Fort Scott, KS.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to East Gate Christian Church in Jim’s honor.