Don is survived by his parents, his son Johnathan Chappell, daughter Danielle Chappell, brother Brian Chappell, nephew Dylan Chappell and niece Mady Chappell.
He was preceded in death by grandparents, James Paul (J.P.) and Lillian Reynolds Chappell, and Russell and Goldie Pendleton Belcher.
Don graduated from Laurel Park High School in the class of 1990. He was most recently employed by Stone Dynamics and has fond memories of his employment with the City of Martinsville where he was known by coworkers as “The Rock.”
Our Don’s struggle with depression took his life, but that will not be how his life is defined. Don was a good time waiting to happen. He was greatly loved by his family and friends. He could make anything funny, and if he didn’t make you laugh you probably have a faulty funny bone. He was an avid fisherman, loved to go to the beach, watch and quote movies, admired his comic book heroes, and was always the life of the party. He was generous and helpful, loving and kind, thoughtful and tender-hearted. But depression is a liar and would not allow him to see these wonderful things in himself.
If there are lessons to be learned when these tragedies occur, let this be one: There are people that are in such unbearable pain that their realities are altered. They are doing their best to seem ‘normal’ and they’ll say they’re ‘hanging in there’ but their strength is running out and they’re tired. Your decency and acceptance may not be what changes their heart or mind, but it may give you the opportunity to encourage them to seek help and treatment. Be kind and love one another.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, December 31, 2018 at McKee-Stone Funeral Home. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.
The family will also receive friends and family after 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 30, 2018 at the home of Don’s aunt located at 339 Trinity Terrace, Martinsville, VA.
Memorial contributions may be made to Rich Acres Christian Church, 422 Mountain View Road, Martinsville, VA 24112
