Jack Emmett Chapman

Born on May 26, 1939 in Merced, CA and raised in the hills outside Le Grand, CA, Jack Emmett Chapman was one of a kind. His early years consisted of raising and showing cattle all over the country alongside his brother Darrel. Jack graduated from Le Grand High School in 1957 and shortly after he met his bride, Leslie Hall at a soda fountain at Johnny’s Drug Store in Le Grand. Jack was married to the love of his life, Leslie, for 60 years.

Jack was a man of strong entrepreneurial character and never settled for just one occupation. A cattleman by nature, he would later purchase cattle trucks and ran Central California Livestock Transporting. During this time, he also owned a grocery store in his hometown of Le Grand which he ran with the help of his wife, Leslie. Jack, Leslie and his children raised Shorthorn, Angus and Brangus cattle. They later started Chapman Hay Company.

Aside from his business ventures, Jack’s hobbies were numerous. Chief among them were racing cars at the Merced Fairgrounds Speedway and flying his homebuilt aircraft. Later in life an interest in real estate led him to various properties throughout California and Oregon.

With a wide swath of friendships, Jack cherished his time spent with friends from all over. Talking over coffee and discussing current events, his pending business dealings, and what the future holds was part of his daily routine. He often pulled out a tape measurer and shared where a person was in age and how much time they had to live their dreams. He was a proud Elks member and enjoyed weekly meals and comradery at the lodge with his friends and family.

He enjoyed the company of others, but he was always most happy when he was with his family. With much life experience, his words of advice to his children and grandchildren were endless: how to buy the right car, how to buy the right home, and how to pick the right mate.

Jack is preceded in death by his father Bub, mother Aliline, and siblings Wes Burdick, Bill Burdick, Marion Gill and Darrel Chapman.

Jack’s legendary work ethic, kind, youthful spirit, and candor is remembered fondly, and his legacy lives on through his surviving family members: his wife, Leslie, daughters Kimber (Bob) Rogina, Jan Chapman, Christe (Chris) Chaney, and his son Jack Jr. (Laurie), His grandchildren: Dante, Jaclyn, Natalie, Trent, Kelsey, Jacob, his 5 great grandchildren, as well as his many nieces and nephews and other treasured family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the Le Grand FFA to help students purchase a FFA jackets. Checks can be made out of the Le Grand FFA 12961 E. Le Grand Road, Le Grand, Ca 95333.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, January 22nd at 11AM at the Plainsburg Cemetery.

Never bored and always busy. Fly high.