Ora June Chapman

It is with a mixture of sorrow and celebration that we share with our friends and families that Ora June Miller Chapman, joined her husband, Jim, in heaven on July 20, 2020. Mom was ready to be reunited with her husband of 68 years and was eager to run into the arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ! She was born on June 17, 1927, lived in Sacramento, California until the age of five when she and her brother, Eddie, were taken to Winfield, Kansas to be raised by her grandparents. Mom moved to Denver, Colorado after high school and lived with her beloved Aunt Ora Miller Allen. She studied nursing at Denver University for 2 years but willingly walked away from her education with a promise of completing it after her marriage to James LeRoy Chapman on September 12, 1948. She did return to school and graduated from Western State College in 1967.

Mom placed her faith in Jesus as her personal savior at the age of 16. Their Christian faith was always important to both Jim and June and they were active in church when they lived in Gunnison and also in Grand Junction. She enjoyed working with young people and sharing her faith through teaching Sunday School and Bible Studies. She led the Baptist Student Union for several years on the campus of WSU.

Dad and Mom moved the family to Gunnison in 1952 and owned Chapman Equipment until 1985 at which time they moved to Grand Junction.

Mom enjoyed being involved in the community via 4-H and as an assistant librarian at Gunnison High School in the middle 70s. She took great pride in her gladiolas and flower garden wherever she lived. Mom always said God gave her the flowers as a reminder of the strength He gave her during a time when she needed it! Hummingbirds will also be linked to the memory of our mother as this was her favorite bird, and of course, we saw many in her gardens!

Mom was preceded in death by her “Jim” on February 18, 2017. She is survived by her children, Linda Chapman of Arvada, Jim (Janis) Chapman of Colorado Springs and Christine (Kent) Herring of Pflugerville, Tx, nine grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Included in the extended family are Albert and Doris Adu-Acheampong of Aurora, Colorado and their three children. Family was a focus of her life and she will be missed by them.

The Chapman family would like to extend our genuine gratitude for the care, the compassion and friendship the staff showed to Ora June at Springwood Retirement Community. We would also like to thank Elevation Hospice and the Dignity First 24/7 care providers during mom’s final days! Your compassion and patience with mom were amazing! Thank you.

Mom’s service will be at 10 a.m., July 29th, at Chapel Hill Mortuary located at 6601 South Colorado Blvd, Centennial, CO.

In lieu of flowers, please send your remembrances to: CRU (Campus Crusade for Christ), Salvation Army, the Alzheimer’s Association or the charity of your choice.

Due to the current global pandemic, there will be a funeral service for a gathering of 50. Disposable masks will be available at the signature table and seating will be practicing the 6 feet of social distancing. The services will be live streamed through the Zoom platform and can be accessed in the link below:

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https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86943735518?pwd=THdpS0NIOUYrb3BtczJQaDVwcGZVUT09

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