He served his country during the Vietnam War on the USS Constellation Carrier in the United States Navy as an electrician apprentice from 1961 to 1964. He was a member of the U.S.S. Constellation, CVA/CV-64 Association, and the Senior Friends Organization at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church.
Juan enjoyed the outdoors as a hunter and fisherman. He turned that hobby into owning Kelley Wigglers saltwater artificial lures and toured the country sharing his passion. He later put on his sales hat and sold automotive adhesives for 14 years to Mexican manufacturers through his company, Gulf Coast Adhesives. He also liked to travel and visit antique shops around the world with his wife and their friends. His family has fond memories of him collecting flashlights as one of his hobbies, and acting surprised when he gave them as Christmas gifts every year. His greatest trait was his larger-than-life personality, he never met a stranger, and his laughter could be heard for miles.
Juan is preceded in death by his parents, Maria Paula Cortez and Juan Chapa Sr., as well as his brothers Angel and Jesus Chapa, and his sisters Josefina Cisneros, Herlinda Ybarra, and Elena Solis.
He is survived by his loving wife Nora Guzman Chapa, his children John Chapa, Barbara (Dwayne) Breaux, and Jennifer (Kevin) Von Eschen, and his brother Joe G. De La Cruz. His legacy lives on through his grandchildren Kristin Chapa, Lindsey Hart, Hannah Kimich, Anna Breaux, Breanna Smith, Andrew Mayor, Peyton, Parker, and Paige Von Eschen.
A visitation for Juan will be held Tuesday, May 28, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Brookside Funeral Home - Champions, 3410 Cypress Creek Parkway, Houston, TX 77068 (the intersection of TC Jester and FM 1960). A Rosary will occur Tuesday, May 28, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM. A funeral mass will occur Wednesday, May 29, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church, 7810 Cypresswood Dr, Spring, TX 77379. A committal will occur Wednesday, May 29, 2024 from 12:45 PM to 1:00 PM at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77038.
