Aug. 12, 1935 - May 26, 2024
Date of Service: Jun. 1, 2024
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KIMBERLY - James E Chapman (Jim), age 88, passed away on Sunday, May 26, 2024.
Jim was born August 12, 1935, at his parents’ home west of Burley, Idaho. He was the third child born to Alfred Chapman and Mary Gennette Dayley. He had one sister, Susanna, and one brother, Alfred K, who lived for only one day. He was raised in Burley and received his education there. He attended Southwest Elementary, Burley Jr. High, then graduated from Burley High School in 1953. While attending high school he participated in Seminary and FFA.
Jim married Ruby Searle in the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple on April 13, 1955. Their first year being married Jim continued his job with the United States Bureau of Reclamation in Burley. Their second year was filled with adventure as his work for the United States Army Corps of Engineers took him to five different states over a 14-month period. Having welcomed their first son, Gary Lynn, while on a business trip in Wyoming, it seemed like a good time to put some roots down and he took a job with the City of Burley in September of 1957. While in Burley, two more sons, James Edwin and Steven Alfred, joined the family. Jim then began working with the Soil Conservation Service in Burley and in 1962 was transferred to the Buhl location. In the spring of 1965, they settled down in Kimberly when he began working for the United States Department of Agricultural Research Service. Shortly after moving to Kimberly, their third son, Steven, passed away after a seven-month battle with leukemia. This was a very difficult trial in which they were strengthened by many relatives, friends, and the gospel of Jesus Christ. During the next five years, two daughters, Julie and Carol, completed their family. Jim continued working at the Research Center until his retirement in 1990. He also worked part-time as a loan officer for the Magic Valley Federal Credit Union for 20 years and served on the board of directors of Idaho Corporate Credit Union for a short period of time.
Jim was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in various callings, including assistant ward clerk, elders quorum president, stake and regional athletic director, and as a counselor in two bishoprics. He also served with Ruby in the Twin Falls Idaho Temple for about five years.
Jim had a way with words, and often showed his creative side by writing poems. These were usually written for family members and friends and often contained humor and an occasional embarrassing moment. We loved hearing him read these poems and seeing his expressions and the twinkle in his eye. He also had a love for gardening, and would create and build irrigation systems to water his garden and shared this talent by building irrigation systems for his kids as well. He would never turn down a bowl of ice cream, but might set it down for a minute while he chased the grandkids in circles trying to pull their big toe. He loved watching the birds come and go, and could sleep just about anywhere and at any time. He was the epitome of frugality and was very wise. He was content to sit back and not say too much, but loved when the family was all together. He loved his family very much and we will deeply miss his quick wit, gentle nature, and giant heart.
He is survived by Ruby, his wife of 69 years; children, Gary (Sally) Chapman of Winter Haven, Florida, Ed (Marta) Chapman of Taylorsville, Utah, Julie (Scott) VanBuren of Pocatello, Idaho, and Carol (Travis) Stastny of Murtaugh, Idaho; 25 grandchildren; and 30 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Susanna (brother-in-law, Don) Barry; a brother, Alfred K; and a son, Steven Alfred.
The family would like to thank Dr. Trevor Satterfield for his kindness, compassion, and guidance as we navigated this very difficult journey. We would also like to thank the Canyons Retirement Community staff as well as Heritage Home Health and Hospice for their help in caring for Jim.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 1, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 23709 US-30, in Murtaugh. Burial will follow at View Cemetery in Burley.
Family and friends will be received from 5 until 7 p.m. Friday, May 31, at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Saturday, preceding the funeral, at the church in Murtaugh.
A live webcast of the Funeral Service will be available and maintained at the following link: https://youtu.be/XdzUCgemSok.
