Noel Don Chapman

Noel "Don" Chapman peacefully entered into the presence of his Savior on Tuesday, December 24, 2019 at his home in Carnegie, OK. He was born September 24, 1937 in Carnegie, OK to James Frank and Ella Mae Barney Chapman.
Don attended Alfalfa Public Schools graduating with the Class of 1956, where he made many lifelong friendships. He married Jan Harding on December 19, 1958 in Clinton, OK and had two children, David and Shannon. Don was a hard-working family man with an amazing work ethic which he passed on to many. He worked with his hands his whole life working on the family farm, the Horn Canna Farm, many wheat harvests and the state of Oklahoma Highway department where he and his brothers built the Talimena Scenic Drive in southeast Oklahoma. He later moved to Texas where he worked in construction with his brother-in-law and eventually built his own successful business in insulation.
A long standing deacon in the church, Don lived a life of service to others both in the church and in everyday life. Although he was a successful business man, his true treasure was stored up in heaven. During their 61 years of marriage, Don and Jan's home was always a refuge for those in need. During the earlier years of their marriage they gave a home to troubled youth who needed a place to land and gave temporary housing to homeless families and individuals.
During the 1980's and the SouthEast Asian refugee crisis, "Papa" Don sponsored many displaced Vietnamese and Laotian refugee families, helping them to embark on a new life in the United States.
Don and Jan's work with refugee families led to the adoption of their son, Michael, and permanent fostering of a sibling group of five children: Trinh, Linda, Tim, Julie, and John, who still call them mom and dad.
After raising their own family of two biological children and six adopted children, their desire to
serve and help others was never diminished. Although they no longer gave homes to the homeless, Don and Jan used their home, up until just recently, to provide space for a food pantry that provided food for countless people in their community in Anna, TX.
He and Jan returned home to Carnegie in August of this year.

Don is survived by the followiing:
His wife of 61 years: Jan Chapman
His son David Don Chapman and his friend Valerie Troncoso
His daughter Shannon Suarez, her husband Efrem and their children Tori, Alex, Brianna, Mia, Levi and Sofie.
His son Michael Chapman, his wife Roxanne and their children Tran and AJ.
His daughter Trinh (Teresa) Truong, her husband Justin and their children Danielle, Brandon, and future son-in-law Wesley Lo.
His daughter Linda Paschal and her husband Matt.
His son Tim Nguyen and son JD (Jeremiah Derek)
His daughter Julie (Thanh) Nguyen Tran, her husband Dang and their children Kevin, Vivian, and Nathan.
His son John Nguyen
His sister Bessie Hamilton and her children.
His sister Jimmie Lee Jones and her son.
His brother Larry Chapman, his wife Louise and their children
His sister, Theresa Thompson and her daughter.
His brother Curtis, his wife La and their daughter.
The family of Lan Bui: Doungmala, Rocky, Sone, and Paula
Dong Su and family.


Noel Don was preceded in death by his parents, James & Ella Mae Chapman, as well as his siblings Earl Chapman, Frank Chapman, and Mildred Compton. He was also preceded in death by dear friend Lan X Bui.


"'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in..." - Matthew 25:34-35


Funeral Service: Saturday, December 28, 2019, 2:00 PM
First Baptist Church, Carnegie, OK
Internment: Alfalfa Cemetery, Alfalfa, OK


Viewing: Friday, December 27, 2019 9:00AM-8:00 PM
Family Visitation, Friday, December 27, 2019 6:00PM-8:00PM
Ray & Martha's Funeral Home, Carnegie, OK


Under the direction of Ray & Martha's Funeral Home, Carnegie, OK