Dr. Thomas H. Chapman Jr.

Dr. Thomas H. Chapman, Jr., known to many as “Doc” or “Doctor Tom,” passed away on Friday, July 24, 2026. He will be missed and remembered by hundreds whose lives were touched by his skill, compassion, and steady care. Many people are alive because of him, and many family names live on today because he was there when they needed him most.

Dr. Chapman was born in San Antonio, Texas on April 11, 1928, to Olga Mae Mixson Chapman and Major General Thomas H. Chapman. His parents were people of honor, integrity, principles, and morals—people of their word. From them, he learned early that a person’s word mattered. Throughout his life, he remained a man of his word.

As the son of a career military officer, Dr. Chapman grew up moving often with his family. He later returned to the family home in Beaumont, where he graduated from St. Anthony’s High School. After attending two universities, he arrived in Austin and became a lifelong Longhorn. He completed his undergraduate studies at The University of Texas and went on to earn his master’s degree.

Dr. Chapman served for three years in the United States Air Force. True to his private nature, he rarely spoke about his service, though his family understood that his work involved cryptology. After his military service, he spent six years working in insurance, ranching, and farming before beginning the path that would lead him to medicine.

In 1959, he began his journey toward becoming “Doc” at Lamar University in Beaumont. In 1961, with five children in tow, the family moved to Galveston—just in time for Hurricane Carla. He attended The University of Texas Medical Branch, received his medical degree and completed his residency in pediatrics in 1968. He then moved the family to the Richmond/Rosenberg area, where he began a medical career that would last 33 years.

Although pediatrics was his specialty, small-town medicine required a willingness to care for everyone. Dr. Chapman became the first pediatrician in Fort Bend County and was known by many as the county’s “baby doctor.” As his reputation grew, so did his practice. He treated patients of all ages—anyone who was sick, anyone who needed help, and anyone who came through his door.

Dr. Chapman spent his entire 33-year career on staff at Polly Ryon Memorial Hospital. His service there was distinguished. He chaired nearly every hospital committee and served as Chief of Staff in both 1973 and 1982. In an era when Fort Bend County was much smaller in population and density, his impact was deeply felt throughout the community. The care he gave, the families he helped, and the lives he influenced continue to ripple across the area today.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra Gryder Chapman, his children, Catherine Ann Chapman of Cottonwood, AZ, SueEllen Chapman Ruggles (Richard Donald) of Boerne, TX, Joseph Mixson Chapman (Roni) of Sugar Land, TX, and Anna Marie Babin of Houston, TX; six grandchildren, Melissa Heather Ruggles Thompson (Matthew) of Denton, TX, Joshua Andrew Ruggles (Lauren) of Bend, OR, Chase Mixson Chapman (Kristin) of Houston, TX, Shayna Rose Chapman Johnson (Matthew) of Houston, TX, Thomas Frank Chapman (Janice Rebekah) of Richmond, TX, and Lauren Elizabeth Chapman of Houston and 10 great-grandchildren, Emma Luna Ruggles, Oren River Long, Storm Star Long, Aubrey Elen Thompson, Benjamin Charles Johnson, Cash Owen Ruggles, Isabella Rae Ruggles, Hayes Mixson Chapman, Michael Antonio Chapman, and Adam Thomas Chapman, his sister, Mary Chapman Brentnall of San Antonio and her four children, and dear friends Rudolph and Herminia Montez of Boerne, along with the many cousins, patients, friends, colleagues, and community members whose lives were better because of him.

He is preceded in death by his sons, Thomas H Chapman, III and Christopher John Clark Chapman, and grandson, Judd Aslyn Chapman.

Dr. Chapman’s legacy is one of service, dedication, humility, and trust. To those who knew him, he was more than a physician. He was Doctor Tom. He was Doc. He was a man of his word.

Family to Receive Visitors will be held at The Settegast-Kopf Company at Sugar Creek, 15015 Southwest Fwy, Sugar Land, TX 77478, US, on August 1, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, followed by a Celebration of Life at the same location on August 1, 2026, at 11:00 am.

A Graveside Service will take place at Magnolia Cemetery Co, 2291 Pine St, Beaumont, TX 77703, US, on August 1, 2026, at 2:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fort Bend County Women's Center at https://www.fbwc.org/.