Memorial service for Raymond Edward Chapman, age 94, Lawton, will be 3:00 p.m. Sunday, June 12, 2016 in St. Paul's United Methodist Church.  Mr. Chapman passed away, Tuesday, June 7, 2016 in Lawton.

Raymond Edward Chapman was born May 1, 1922 to Nina Alma Ealey Chapman and Richard Raymond Chapman in Arapaho, Ok.  The family lived in Davis, Ok for a short while before returning to Arapaho, Ok.  His family included one brother, Elvin, and four sisters, Juanita, Lucille, Irene, and Nora Lou.

He graduated from Arapaho High School in 1940.  He joined his brother in California to work before joining the Army Air Corp in 1942.  He served as a airplane mechanic during World War II.   He was stationed at Enid, Carlsbad, and Altus.  While stationed in Altus he joined a group of friends who went to Southwestern Oklahoma State University "to meet girls."  He was one of the lucky ones meeting the love of his life, Helen Lovella Shanklin.  He and Helen we're married in 1946.

After the war, Raymond attended Southwestern receiving a bachelors degree in 1950.  He was the first in his family to attend college.  Raymond and Helen moved to Cordell, Ok in 1950 where both taught in the public schools.  Raymond was quickly promoted to junior hIgh school principal then as the principal of the high school.

During that time they had 5 children and Raymond worked towards his masters degree in education from the University of Oklahoma.  He graduated in 1958.  He remained a Sooners fan his entire life.

In 1966, Raymond accepted a job at the Oklahoma State Department of Education in teacher certification and the family moved to Oklahoma City.  In 1969 he became the Registrar at Cameron University in Lawton, OK.  He worked there until retirement in 1984.

Raymond loved traveling and camping.  He built his own tent-trailer as the family explored coast-to-coast; seeing sights from Washington D.C. to Disney Land.  He was an avid fishermen, especially enjoying fly fishing in Colorado.  He enjoyed wood working, making his own furniture and building an addition to his home as his family grew.

Raymond was a man of high ethics and moral standards.  He cared deeply for his family and lived a life of faith serving in his church and in his community through various civic groups.  His achievements in life were incredible for one who grew up so poor.

He is survived by his five children Judy Syverson and husband Larry of Richmond, VA, KathyChapman of Lawton, OK, Janice Sharp and husband Doyle of Duncan, Ok, Richard Chapman and wife Debbie of Tuscola, Tx, and Susan FaGalde and husband Richard of Verden, Ok, and 12 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grand children.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother and sisters and wife.

Memorials made be made to St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 910 NW 38th Street, Lawton OK 73505 or to Oklahoma National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 4606 East 67th  Street, Suite 103, Tulsa, OK 74136.