Thurmon Chapman

Thurmon Chapman

Funeral services for Mr. Thurmon Chapman, 64, of Dublin, Georgia, will be held at 2·30 PM, on Saturday, March 2, 2019, at the Second African Baptist Church, 800 North Decatur Street in Dublin. Reverend Willie Frank Reed will officiate. Interment will follow in the Dudley Memorial Cemetery.

Mr. Chapman was born in Dublin, Georgia, on May 28, 1954, to the late Mrs. Maudell Walker Chapman and the late Mr. Judge Chapman. Mr. Chapman was a Christian and a dedicated military veteran. He joined Second Baptist Church as a child. He graduated from Dublin High School in 1972, and completed courses at three colleges: University of Maryland, Far East Division, New Hampshire College in Manchester, New Hampshire, and Chapman College in Orange California. He received his certificate of Retirement from the US Navy in 2002 for serving 30 years of faithful service, 21 years active duty and nine years in the US Naval Reserve. His active duty service included honorable discharges and distinguished service for three branches of the military including several foreign-service postings. He began his military career with the United States Marines where he achieved the rank of Lance Corporal. Next, he joined the United States Army where he achieved the rank of Specialist, Grade 4, as a combat engineer with the 1st Cavalry Division, Combined Arms Division in Korea. He concluded his military career as a US Navy Petty Officer, First Class responsible for managing the Supply Department for Navy Communication Station Harold E. Holt Exmouth Western Australia. He received numerous commendations during his tenure of service.

Among the commendations Mr. Chapman received for his service were the National Defense Service Medal (Second); Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Navy Expeditionary Medal (Third); Battle "E" Ribbon; Humanitarian Service Medal; Navy Achievement Medal; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (Third); Navy & Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon (Seventh) and Good Conduct Award (Third). While he served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Independence (CV/CVA-62), the Independence Carrier Group received a Navy Unit commendation from The Secretary of the Navy. Additionally, while serving on the Independence, he was designated as the carrier Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist.

After retirement, he worked as a substitute teacher for the Dublin City School System and the Laurens County School System, and as a security guard for several companies.

Mr. Chapman took pride in doing his best at every job he was assigned. A few of the complimentary words in his Navy job evaluations include proficient, industrious, conscientious, diligent and unmatched managerial skills. He also enjoyed mentoring youngsters and sharing his knowledge and experience. One of his favorite Bible verses was "Do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will take care of itself." Matthew 18:20.

Mr. Chapman passed away on February 24, 2019 while he was a patient at the Charlie Norwood Veterans Administration Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mrs. Maudell Walker Chapman and Mr. Judge Chapman, sister, Mrs. Ophelia Walker Johnson, uncle, Mr. Thurmon Walker, and nephew, Mr. Grady Johnson, Jr.

He is survived by his brothers, Richard Shine Hicks and Jerry Chapman, and sister-in-law, Mrs. Sharon Wright Chapman, devoted nieces, Marcella Johnson and Myra Johnson, nephews, Larry (Joann) Johnson and Askari (Constance) Johnson, cousin, Essie Jean Chappell and a host of other relatives.

The Family will receive friends at 418 Lollie Drive in Dublin. Please post condolences at ServicesbyDudley.com.

Services by Dudley Funeral Home of Dublin.