Joe Chapman
Dec. 21, 1937 – Oct. 11, 2025
Joe Chapman of Tenmile passed away on Oct. 11, 2025, with wife Pat, sons Kelly, Joe and his wife Karen, Richard and his wife Kathy, Keith and his wife Marci, his sister Margaret, and granddaughter Telina all at his side. He was 87.
Joe was born Dec. 21, 1937, in Charleston, Ark. to Earl and Bess Chapman and lived in Arkansas and Texas before moving to Southern California where he attended schools.
He married Pat Binger on June 8, 1957, in Oxnard,Calif.
Joe attended UCLA for two years before becoming a licensed psychiatric technician at Camarillo State Hospital and then Agnew State Hospital in San Jose. He graduated from San Jose State College in 1962 with a degree in speech therapy.
Over the next 31½ years Joe acquired credentials to teach speech therapy and also taught students who were deaf and hard of hearing, and severely handicapped.
He was a lifetime member of the California Teachers Association, the National Education Association and served as president of the El Dorado County Teachers Association and was the head negotiator for the El Dorado County Special Education Association. He was also president and treasurer of the El Dorado County chapter of the Council for Exceptional Children.
Joe retired in 1993 and moved to Tenmile south of Yachats where he could enjoy being an avid gardener, growing flowers for all to see. His garden had the honor of being on the area garden tour one year.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by four sons, Kelly Chapman of California; Joe and Karen Chapman of Michigan and their children, Dana, Jake and Lindsay; Richard and Kathy Chapman of North Carolina and their children, Christina and Jamie; and Keith and Marci of California, and their children, Mitchell and Chad; 14 great grandchildren and one great great great grandchild.
Joe was a music lover and played trombone in several groups, including the Sacramento Valley Concert Band, the Sierra Symphony, the Lincoln County Concert Band, Florence Brass Quintet, The Jetties Florence, Yachats Big Band and Pacific Coast Wind Ensemble.
Joe was a quiet man of many great qualities, a wonderful husband of 68 years, a very wonderful father and grandfather who loved his family so very much. He will be missed by all that knew him and especially by his wife, Pat.
A celebration of life is planned next spring in Tenmile for family and friends.
