James was born on February 7, 1940, in Chapman, Kentucky, the son of William David and Rosa Belle (Miller) Chapman both of Chapman, Kentucky.
He graduated from Louisa High School in Louisa, Kentucky.
He enjoyed watching the University of Kentucky basketball games and being with his family. After 39 years of service, he retired from the CSX Railroad in 2002. He was an active member of West Jacksonville Baptist Church serving as an usher and in the nursing home ministry.
He was the youngest of ten children. He was preceded in death by three brothers (Bill, George, and Haskell) and four sisters (Maxie, Lydia, Mary, and Myrtle).
He is survived by his wife, Betty (Fields) Chapman of Jacksonville, FL, to whom he was married for 52 years; three sons: Jim and Doraine Chapman of Plainfield, Indiana, Mark and Sherry Chapman of Jacksonville, FL, and Philip and Carrie Chapman of Dyer, Indiana; nine grandchildren Abby, Braden, Garrett, Elizabeth, Jamison, Christa, Tyler, Brent, and Steven: and two sisters, Lenora (Chapman) Meredith and Betty (Chapman) Loar.
A visitation will be held at 2:00 pm with a funeral at 3:00 pm at West Jacksonville Baptist Church, 5634 Normandy Blvd, Jacksonville FL 32205. Burial will follow at Riverside Memorial Park, 7242 Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville FL 32205. Arrangements are under the care of Hardage-Giddens Town & Country Funeral Home, www.townandcountryfuneralhome.com
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