Funeral Mass for LTC (Retired) John Wayne Chapman, II will be 12:00 P.M. Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at Holy Family Catholic Church with Rev. Philip Seeton, pastor and Deacon Jim Coe officiating.

Burial with full military honors will follow in Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin under the direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.

Rosary will be 6:00 P.M. Monday in the funeral home chapel.

LTC John Wayne Chapman, II, 79, Lawton, passed away Tuesday, May 29, 2018 in Lawton.  He was born on October 26, 1938 to Mary Margaret Veronica Riordan and Col. John Wayne Chapman in Santa Fe, NM.  The youngest of three children, Wayne had the unique opportunity to live in Trieste, Italy while his father was stationed there just after WWII.  Returned to Santa Fe, NM at age 8.  He entered the New Mexico National Guard at the age of 17.  He entered active duty two years later and served in Germany.  Wayne began Officer Candidate School in 1963 and returned to Germany.

On New Year's Eve, 1967, Wayne met Penny Lunsford at a party held by Wayne Clay in Albuquerque, NM.  The two were married shortly after on June 3, 1967 in Albuquerque, NM.  They then welcomed their first child, John W. Chapman, III.

In February 1968, Wayne left for Tay Ninh, Vietnam and returned home in 1969 to an assignment at Fort Sill, OK at the Artillery Board.  Wayne and Penny made Lawton their home where they would go on to raise their family.  In 1970, Wayne and Penny welcomed their second child, Mary Laurel Chapman (Siberts).  Their third child, Amelia Ruth Chapman arrived in 1975.

Wayne joined the Oklahoma National Guard in 1973 and began his civil service career in April 1974.  Wayne's entire career was spent with the Software Engineering Directorate, Fire Support System Engineering, Fort Sill, OK.  Initially, he was responsible for software Chemical and Nuclear analysis programs but transferred to configuration management in 1977.  Wayne was later an Artillery officer in the United States Army Reserves.  In 1998, Wayne retired from the Army Reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel with 42 years dedicated service to the Armed Forces.  During his service, Wayne earned the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, two overseas bars, and  marksman qualification badge with rifle bar.  Wayne retired from Civil Service in 2003 after nearly 30 years of service.

Once retired, Wayne did not slow down.  He dedicated his free time to woodworking and following in his sister's footsteps in the Military Order of the World Wars (MOWW).  Through MOWW, Wayne served in many leadership positions earning many awards and recognition for his service, volunteerism, and dedication.  Wayne took great pride in his work with the Youth Leadership Conference and enabling young men and women enrolled in youth leadership training.  Wayne was exceedingly proud to have been recently awarded the Gold Patrick Henry Medallion for Patriotic Achievement from the MOWW in April.  He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church where he volunteered to repair and refurbish anything he could get his hands on.

Wayne was a great trout fisherman, and he loved to spend the summers in New Mexico with his family.  He had unmatched love and dedication for his family, and he always demonstrated great pride in sharing their successes.  Wayne loved the MOWW motto "It is nobler to serve than to be served" and cared for his family until his last breath.  His family knows that he will continue to care for them as the days move on through his legacy and the values he left behind.  He is survived by his wife of 51 years Penny, of the home, John W. Chapman III and his wife Angela of Wylie, TX, Laurel Chapman Siberts and her husband MSgt. Michael Siberts, of Dumfries, VA, and Amy Chapman, of Dallas, TX.  Wayne has two loving granddaughters, Melanie R. Siberts and Julie M. Siberts.

Wayne was preceded in death by his loving parents and his sisters Julia Southerland and Mary Margaret Pennington, and nephews George and John Pennington.

Wayne will be truly missed not only by his family, but by everyone who knew him.  His absence will be felt for some time.  He was a dedicated husband, father, and father figure to many.  He was the greatest of men.  It was a privilege to know him, and to call him dad, husband, or friend.

Memorial contributions can be made in support of the Youth Leadership Program, General Critz Chapter, Military Order of the World Wars (MOWW). Please mail checks to MOWW, 8012 NW Cheswick Ave., Lawton, OK  73505.