David Frank Chapman
1931-2016
David Frank Chapman, age 84, passed away on Sunday, the 1st of May 2016 surrounded by his loving family. Dave was born in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania on the 18th of September 1931. His family moved to Covina, California when he was a child. Dave graduated from Rice University with a degree in architecture in 1953. At Rice he met and married his classmate Erminie Chambers. They married on the 9th of June 1951 and were married for sixty-four years.
Upon graduation Dave began his lifelong career in construction by going to work for his father-in-law, Dunbar Chambers, at Farnsworth & Chambers. After the death of his father-in-law, he co-founded Warrior Construction, which was later sold to Zapata. In 1971 Dave left Zapata to found the Mayan Group, which provided construction management services on a variety of projects throughout the Southwest. He later sold Mayan to Gilbane Building Company where he remained as Vice President – Southwest Division until his retirement.
Dave was a member of the Houston Country Club, Young Presidents Organization, World Presidents Organization, Associated General Contractors and St Luke's United Methodist Church.
Dave was a devoted husband, brother, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He loved playing tennis, quail hunting, fly fishing and he took great joy in introducing his grandchildren to Europe and the beauty of the Texas Hill Country.
Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Susan Green Chapman; and his brother, Jay Chapman. He is survived by his wife, Erminie Chapman; his children, Paul Chapman and wife Cathy, Ann McGuyer and husband Frank, Carrie Chapman, Crista Trammell and husband Ripley, Clara Malone and husband Lee, Ruth Hancock and husband Kirk; sister, Susie Latimer; bother, John Green; twelve grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.
Friends are cordially invited to a reception celebrating Dave's life, at five o'clock in the afternoon on Sunday, the 8th of May, at the Houston Country Club, 1 Potomac Drive in Houston.
In lieu of usual remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to Rice University at www.giving.rice.edu.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Houston Chronicle on May 4, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for David Chapman

Sponsored by Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Directors.

14 Entries

Janet Averett

November 14, 2018

I am so sorry to hear Mr. Chapman passed away and would like to say how much I enjoyed working for Mayan Construction and Mr. Chapman during the time I was there. It gave me the opportunity to meet Clare and Ruth when they worked during the summer in the accounting department and also to work with Paul who was always such an inspiring person. Sending prayers to such a wonderful family.
Janet Averett

Don Longtain

December 5, 2017

Paul,
I have been out of the country off and on for the last few years and out of curiosity searched on your Dad's name. Needless to say, I was sadly surprised to find his obituary; I always thought Dave would see 100.

Dave was one of my mentors; Warrior to Texco to Mayan. When I returned from military service in January 1972, Dave took me back on at Warrior like I had never left and I followed him until he sold Mayan to Gilbane. Not following Dave to Gilbane has been something I have contemplated as a "what if" many times since I made the decision not to. I have many fond memories of your dad and some of my fondest are quail hunting with him on the King Ranch.

If I recall correctly, the last time I had lunch with Dave was 7 or 8 years ago after I had returned from a project in China and I was hoping to have the opportunity to visit with him again which was why I was searching his name. I am truly sorry that I did not attend his funeral.

I know this guest book is old and you may never read this but I hope you do.

Regards,
Don Longtain

November 20, 2017

Dear Erminie and Family,

I am so saddened to hear of Mr. Chapman's passing last year. Your family was very special to me during my years at Mayan Construction. He was a decent and caring man who took care of his own. My deepest sympathies.

Marilyn Womack (formerly Donnelly)

Don Primosic

May 19, 2016

Dave was the best mentor that I ever had. He taught me to swim with the sharks and to hire smart. He was the most personable executive I have ever met. My prayers go out to his great family. He will be missed by everyone who ever had contact with him. He loved the River Oaks tennis tournament.

May 9, 2016

Dear Mrs. Chapman & family. I am sorry to hear about Mr. Chapmans passing. It was a pleasure to have known him through the years from me working at the Houston Country Club. I will miss him. James Gray

Ezra (Bubba) Wilson

May 6, 2016

Paul , sorry to hear of your loss. I have always remembered the days at Mayan Builders with your Dad and Grady. Appreciated the opportunities they created for young guys to learn construction and building relationships the right way. Thanks Dave, you will be missed.

May 6, 2016

Thank you all for your sweet words. I will make sure my mom gets to read them. I was blessed to have such a great dad.
Ruth

May 5, 2016

Truly regret to read of your loss,
Our prayers & thoughts are with your family.
**Psalms 121:1-8**

Neill Masterson

May 5, 2016

With love to Erminie and all of the family,
Constant & Neill Masterson

Vic and Judy Neuhaus

May 5, 2016

Dear Erminie,

We were saddened to learn of Dave's passing and are remembering the good times we were so fortunate to share in the beautiful Texas Hill Country.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

With love - Vic and Judy

May 4, 2016

Paul,

Sorry for your loss. Didn't even know this was going on this whole time.

Jeff and Denise Schaffer

Skip Vaughan

May 3, 2016

Dave,

We miss you.

Skip Vaughan / WPO Forum III

Erminie Hewitt

May 3, 2016

I'll always remember your wonderful smile Uncle Dave.

Julia Hall

May 3, 2016

I am so sad to hear that my wonderful friend's daddy has passed. He was a shining light in her life. I thank God for bringing Clara into my life and her father for making her who she is today.Goodbye Mr. Chapman you will be missed but never forgotten.

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