Raymond Chapman, Sr.

Raymond Chapman, Sr. (99), “Chappy” to friends and family, died peacefully at his home in Cincinnati, Ohio on October 2, 2018, just two days before his 100th birthday.  Born October 4, 1918 in Crawfordville, Georgia, he was the second of four siblings born to the late Clifford Chapman and Essie Alexander Chapman. Preceding him in death were sisters, Ruth C. Harrison and Dorothy Chapman, both of Cincinnati, Ohio and Margaret C. Prestwood of Dearborn, Michigan.

     On July 8, 1941, Chappy married the late Virkett Armstrong Chapman from Wyoming, Ohio, and to this extraordinary marriage of 74 years, two children were born: Raymond Chapman, Jr. and Lisa Dee Chapman (deceased). He loved both his children dearly, but Lisa held a special place in his heart. She was his “Banana Nose.” He was an exceptional husband, father and friend to all who knew him, always encouraging those around him to do better and to take chances while trying to succeed.

     In 1943, Chappy left Wrights Aeronautical in Lockland and, as so many had done, joined the United States Navy. He completed Physical Instructor training at Bainbridge, Maryland under the tutelage of Olympic swimming cham-pion Adolf Kiefer. It was a time during WWII that the Navy was losing more sailors to drowning than bullets and it would be the responsibility of the physical instructors to teach young recruits the necessary survival skills. Chappy became an excellent swimmer and teacher and many sailors owe their lives to what he taught them in survival school. He was also the manager of several championship baseball and boxing teams while in the service.

     Chappy was an early member of St. Simon Episcopal Church in Lincoln Heights, Ohio. He was also a member of the first Confirmation Class (1932) there under Rev. Arthur Wilson. During the mid 1950s, he and close friend,  James Harding started and later managed several cham-pionship knothole baseball teams sponsored by St. Simons/St. Monica Rec Center. Later in life, he was a very active member of St. Michael’s and All Angels Episcopal Church in Avondale, Ohio where he served as Senior Warden and as Lay Reader, before its closure. In 2003, he was given membership in the Society of St. Simeon and St. Anna for his outstanding service to the Church and the Diocese of Southern Ohio.

     Chappy retired from General Electric Evendale in 1981 after 30 years of service. He was one of the first Black members of the International Association of Machinist (IAM) at GE and was very active in that union. He also was very active in promoting various GE employee savings plans to the rank and file.

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