Cooper Landon Chapman

Our fierce warrior, Cooper, crossed over into the arms of Jesus on April 1st, 2021 at 6:15 PM CST after a three year battle with Rhabdomyosarcoma. He passed quietly in his second home and safe place, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, surrounded by his family and his best friend.

Cooper was diagnosed with stage 4 rhabdomyosarcoma in February 2018. He spent more than three years at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for treatment, where he both endured very difficult treatment but also had a great time with the St. Jude staff and other families. He was one of the founders of the "St. Jude Scooter Gang" that consisted of Cooper and his "Battle Buddies." They would join in on scootering through the halls at housing, while the parents connected, watched in amazement at their warriors just being kids, and prayed they wouldn’t fall or get hurt. Cooper loved being at St. Jude because it was his safe place, the place that gave us miracle after miracle and most of all, time with Cooper.

In life, Cooper had a quiet strength in everything he did in his 12 years on this Earth. His biggest love, second to Jesus, was his big brother, Eli (14), who was his hero and best friend and had been since birth. Their friendship was unique and special. Eli and Cooper spent many hours playing Legos while listening to worship music. They also had a love for playing outside on their trampoline, riding scooters, and playing in the backyard creek. The brothers also loved playing with their puppies, Bo and Memphis.

Cooper was always surrounded by the love and support of his friends and Cooper’s Army. His friends rallied around him on the good and not so good days. They often spent hours playing Minecraft while Facetiming, at times during treatment. Cooper’s Army kept Cooper and his family lifted in prayer during his three year battle.

Cooper was a 6th grader at Evansville Christian School, home school, and school at St. Jude. He most enjoyed math and science, but otherwise was not a fan of homework. He was always looking for new ways to soak up information about how the world worked and life, in general. Many say he was very much an “old soul”. In true inquisitive Cooper fashion, he often said “You learn so much more by listening, than talking.” Throughout treatment, Cooper, continued to learn about all the aspects of his treatment, watching videos on how chemo treatments, radiation and different scans worked.

Another love of Cooper’s, were sea turtles, wildlife and all of nature. Although, often quiet, Cooper had a sense of humor and an honest wit, that would leave others snickering and earned him the nickname "Accountability Cooper".

Cooper is survived by his parents, Lonny Dean Chapman and Nicole Renee Chapman and older brother and hero, Eli Colton Chapman. Other family includes grandparents Leroy “Hack” and Linda Chapman, Pamela Kuester and Thomas Kuester. Lee and Paulette, Braden, Cole Chapman and Bryce, Beth, Aidan, and Ian Alston. And puppies, Bo and Memphis.

Visitation will be held at Blue Grass United Methodist Church on Friday, April 9th, 2021 from 2:00-7:00 pm CT. Visitation will continue on Saturday, April 10th, 2021 from 10:00-11:00. Celebration of Life service will be held also at Blue Grass United Methodist Church will be at 11:00. There will be limited seating and masks are required. Funeral service will be livestreamed at live.bluegrassumc.org

In leu of flowers, we ask that donations be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in memory of Cooper: https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=home-btn-donate-now

We would like to give a special thank you to his care team at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for taking care of Cooper so well. They became our family away from home. We would also like to thank friends, family, Blue Grass United Methodist Church, and Evansville Christian School for their continued prayers and support over the last three years.

Condolences may be offered at www.AlexanderNorthChapel.com