Pastor James "Jim" Chapman

Pastor Jim (James Richard) Chapman was born May 14, 1924, in a converted hop dryer near Santa Clara, Oregon and grew up on a small market farm. He went Home to heaven from Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge on December 2, 2024, at age 100 ½ years old – yes, still counting!

Meanwhile, he was married to Dorothy for 52 years [dec.1997] They raised 4 daughters: Sharon (George [dec.]) Smella, Linda (Rick) Rehn, Paula (Owen) McKenzie and Cynthia (Gordon) de Graaff. From them came 9 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren: Stephen (Jen) Smella with Bridget, Courtney, Quinn and Trey; Russell (Janice) Smella with Katie and Colin; Steve [dec.] (Nicki) Rehn; Dave (Wendy) Rehn with Cai and Eden; Alexis (Redge) Rehn Dole; Gail [Salem Abraha, dec.] McKenzie; Adam (Carie) McKenzie with Luke and William; Cora [dec.] McKenzie; Kelly (Amy) de Graaff.

We are grateful to Rita Dahl for being his kind-hearted caregiver during his last years.

Jim Chapman came to Canada from Oregon in 1947 at the age of 23, with 7 years of preaching experience, and a calling to minister to the small struggling churches of southern Alberta. He dedicated the rest of his life to this calling. His wife Dorothy served the church alongside him for 52 years. He was the minister in Vulcan for 11 years, Lethbridge for 31 years, Wrentham for 21 years and Taber for 12 years.

As well, he started the Nanton, Taber, Hardieville and Lomond churches, and enabled other preachers in southern Alberta to survive the struggles of ministering to a small church. He was active in the Lethbridge Soup Kitchen and Senior Luncheon, Pine Lake Christian Camp, and served as Public Relations officer for Alberta Bible College for 20 years. He married and buried many, for some for up to 2 and 3 generations. Jim also married a couple of his daughters and a few grandchildren.

Altogether he preached for 83 years. During Covid lock-down, with Rita and Jonathan Chapman’s assistance, he emailed his congregation and others an audio devotional-communion message weekly for 4 years. His last sermon was in Taber Church on March 10, and his last communion message July 28 at age 100 + 2 months! He still had sermons developing in his head, but his time ran out!

The Lord says, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

A private family Interment will be held.

Flowers are gratefully declined. In lieu of flowers, for those who wish, donations may be made to the Alberta Bible College or the Taber Church of Christ.