Born in Greer, SC, on October 25, 1937, he was a son of the late Richard Grady, Sr. and Mary Davis Chapman. He was of the Baptist Faith, a former member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Ware Shoals, SC.
Surviving in addition to his wife Georgia, are his children: Abby (Chris) Thompson, Pam Chapman, and Rob (Jerra) Chapman; a brother, Bruce (Renee) Chapman, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his parents and a brother, Gerald M. Chapman.
He was a 1955 graduate of Ware Shoals High School and received a B.S. from the University of South Carolina, B.S, in Engineering from the University of Nebraska, and M.S Geo-Environmental Studies from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania.
After entering service in the U.S. Army in 1966 his military education included the Engineer Officer Basic Course, Engineer Officer Advanced Course, Rotary Wing Aviator Course, Armed Forces Staff College, and Army War College.
His aviation assignments included Helicopter Lift and Gunship Platoon Commander, 1st Aviation Brigade, Vietnam: Attack Helicopter Company Commander, 1st Calvary Division, Vietnam; and Flight Commander and Instructor Pilot, Cobra School, Savannah, GA.
His Engineer Assignments included: Operations officer, Engineer Battalion, Germany; Executive Officer, Engineer Battalion, Germany; Logistics Officer, Engineer Brigade, Germany; Deputy Commander, Corps of Engineer District, Walla Walla, WA; Engineer Battalion Commander, 5th Infantry Division, Fort Polk, LA; Engineer US Forces, Japan, Tokyo; Engineer, US Army Europe, Heidelberg, Germany; Commander, US Army Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands; and Director of Engineering, Fort Carson, CO.
His awards and decorations include: Valor; Distinguished Flying Cross (2); Air Medal with “V” for valor; Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry; Combat Unit Citations (3). Combat: Bronze Star (2), and Air Medal (27). Service: Legion of Merit (3); Meritorious Service Medal (3), and numerous others.
His overseas assignments included: Vietnam, 2 assignments, 2 years; Germany, 2 assignments, 5 years; Japan, 3 years; and the Marshall Islands, 2 years. COL Chapman retired from the military after serving 30 years.
His civilian career included: Coleman and Towns, Architects and Engineers, Greenwood, SC 6 years; University of New Mexico, Research Engineer, 7 years; General Manager, O&M Contract, Fort Carson, CO, 2 years; and Professional Services Consultant (intermittent).
Graveside Services with Military Honors will be held on Saturday, March 21 at 2:00 PM at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Ware Shoals, Laurens County, SC. Online condolences may be sent to www.ParkerWhitePruitt.com
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