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James Chapman Obituary
Elmira: Age 69, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, April 17, 2011 with his family surrounding him. Jim was born July 4, 1942, in Elmira, the son of Ransford and Mary Chapman. Jim's birthday suited him well, Independence Day, because he was a brave Marine who loved his country and was incredibly proud of his service and of all who serve. Jim stood up for what he believed in and devoted his life to helping others.
James is survived by his family whom he adored……his wife of 45 years, Kathryn Ross Chapman; daughters and sons-in-law, Sarah A. and Edward Wess of Jamison PA with daughter Kathryn; Mary C. and John T. Cox, Jr. of Elmira with children, Morgan and Johnny. Jim was known as "Papa" to his three grandchildren. He was an incredibly important role model and knew each of his grandchildren very well. Jim never missed a ball game, concert, or any other event in their lives. He is also survived by Ann Ross, mother-in-law and predeceased by his father-in-law who he worked with and admired greatly Floyd Ross. Michael Sr. and Ardys Ross, brother and sister-in-law, Janet Ross, sister-in-law, special nephews and their spouses; Michael Ross, Jr., Mark and Denise Ross, and Matthew and Danielle Ross; Aunts, Rose Mekos and Patricia Button, and Uncle Richard Button, also survive.
Jim served proudly in the United States Marine Corps from 1960 to 1966. "Semper Fi" or Always Faithful, the Marine Corp motto, describes Jim in all his relationships and commitments. He was a Police Officer with the Elmira Police Department for ten years. Thereafter, he went on to serve as the Director of the Criminal Justice Program and the Forensic Crime Laboratory at the State University of New York, Corning. He proudly served as the Executive Director of the Southern Tier Law Enforcement Academy-Zone 12 from 1984-2000. Jim was the Director of Training and Standards for the National Association of Computer Voice Stress Analysts. Jim was a world renowned Voice Stress Analyst Expert and had been a VSA Examiner for over 40 years. He continued to conduct VSA examinations up to the time of his passing. Jim was one of only four Master CVS Examiners in the world. He was considered the "elder statesman" of the VSA community worldwide and he will be sorely missed by the thousands of VSA examiners he mentored and influenced over his many decades of service.
Friends are invited to McInerny Funeral Home, corner of W. Water and Walnut St. on Thursday, April 19, 2012 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, April 20, 2012 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. Interment, with Military Honors, will follow at St. Peter and Paul's Cemetery. The family will provide flowers. Please remember Jim with a donation to the SPCA, Route 352, Elmira, New York, 14903.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Chapman
Joe Siwy
April 23, 2012
Your loss is heaven's gain. His kindness was evident in his eyes and his sincerity and honesty in his handshake. My condolences to the Chapman family.
Larry Arrington
April 23, 2012
God bless the Family of James Chapman, Jim was a friend and mentor to me he was a proud and patriotic American Marine. Jim you will be missed. Most of all he loved his family with all his heart.
Sarah Litts-Crane
April 22, 2012
Dear Sarah,
God Bless you and your family now and always. Im am so sorry that your dad died. Try to remember to celebrate your dads life as I'm sure he would like that too.
April 22, 2012
My sympathies to the Chapman family on the loss of a great man and mentor.
-Ron Magno (Florida)
Al Boring
April 21, 2012
Sarah - We send our deepest sympathy to you and your family. We remember meeting him at your wedding. He expressed his true gratitude toward us and made us feel extremely welcomed. You and your family are in our hearts and prayers. Love Pam and Al
Chad Flynn
April 21, 2012
My condolences to the Chapman family. Jim was a man of his word, and very thorough with his work. Jim was there for me through bad times, and never let up until what was right was proven. He was a honest, respectful, and a wonderful man. He will be missed. My prayers are with you.
Teresa Adams
April 21, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with you - love, Tap Run Ski Club
Sue Wojtyna Matthews
April 21, 2012
"Officer Chapman" taught at my school when I was a teen. I enjoyed his class, and it was obvious even then, that he was passionate and dedicated in whatever he did. I'm not at all surprised that he went on to accomplish great things.
Dorothy Kaliati (Black)
April 21, 2012
Such a loss of a great man. He was my instructor at CCC when I attended the Police Academy,,,
john marshall
April 20, 2012
sara and mary , your dad was an awesome guy, he was my instructor at CCC and the last time i saw him(less than a year ago) he said remember im old but i will still give you the wost 15 seconds of your life...he was SO respected and will be SO missed! hang in there!!
Jennifer Dean
April 20, 2012
Kathy and family, I am deeply sorry for your loss. A man with the heart and integrity such as Jim will be missed by many. You are in my prayers.
Olga Cayon
April 20, 2012
Dear Kathy and Family,
With the sincere sympathy to you all on Jim's unexpected passing. His inspiring spirit touched me forever and he will be very much missed. Words, however kind, cannot mend your heartache: but those who care and share your loss wish you comfort and peace of mind. May you find strength in the love of family and in the warm embrace of friends. May time ease the pain that no words can.
April 20, 2012
Kathy, Sarah and Mary
We were so shocked to hear of Jim's death. As next door neighbors we spent many hours visiting and sharing good times with you and your family. Our sympathy is with all of you
Jan and Brad Carlson, Sarasota FL.
April 20, 2012
It was always a pleasure to be in the company of your dear husband and father. It was obvious what a caring and sincere man he was, always very impressive. May he rest in peace. You will all be in my prayers.
Becky Siwy
April 20, 2012
Kathy and family:
May God be with you in this time of sorrow.
Rita Levanduski,Mapes
Chuck Metcalfe
April 20, 2012
Chapman Family,
My deepest sympathies are with you all. Jim was a true Marine throughout his life. He was always supportive, helpful and encouraging to me. The community, like your family, will have a substantial void with his absence from amongst us -- he will be greatly missed. I would be there to express my sympathies in person, but I will be burying my own father, another good Marine, today in Jamestown today.
Semper Fi!
John Cusick
April 19, 2012
My condolences to the Chapman and Ross families. I was a student in Jim's first Police Class at Elmira Free Academy and found him to be a great guy. I later took classes from him at CCC, even though I had no intention of ever entering the Law Enforcement Profession, because he was such an enjoyable and dedicated teacher. I always considered him a friend and he always gave me good, sound advice when asked. He will be greatly missed.
Judy Weiskopff
April 19, 2012
Mary & family, I am very sorry for your loss. He sounded like a wonderful man.
Pat Lewis
April 19, 2012
Our family will never forget Jim's support while our son Mark was in Iraq. For more than a year whenever we would see him at mass his prayers and support were always there. May you know that he will live in our hearts forever.
Patty Riehl
April 19, 2012
Dear Chapman Family:
Thoughts and prayers from Family Services in Tioga Pa are with you at this time of your deep loss. Jim worked with us for nearly 20 years and we will miss him. He was always quick to resond when we needed him. He was actually here on a Saturday recently to assist us. He brought so much knowledge and expertise when he visited us here. He was a good man and so very dedicated. Again our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Ruth Stratton
April 19, 2012
To the Chapman family and friends,
I was so sorry to hear of Jim's passing. He was a very special man and had a wonderful attitude about things. I first met Jim about five years ago when I arranged a VSA testing for one of the clients I work with. I enjoyed that meeting and his technique with the client, as well as his insight. Since that time I have met with him on several occasions to use his expertise to assist with investigations. Jim was a knowledgeable man and a great professional. I recently had the opportunity to work with him two days in a row and his work was very helpful for a difficult case. Since that first meeting I kept feeling that I should have already known him, and it was not until I was reading some of the other entries that I finally realized that I had done a class with Jim at CCC many years ago. He was wonderful then and continued that to the end. I am so sorry for your loss. Jim will be missed by many more than you can possible know. I am sure he is in a good place in God's hands and he certainly did God's work while he was here on earth.
Ruth Stratton, Tioga County Department of Human Services.
Jack Pitts
April 19, 2012
Chapman family, I am so sorry for your loss, Jim and I knew each other at GW, Semper Fi from a fellow Marine
Bob & Debbie Chapman
April 19, 2012
Dear Kathy and family, Our sympathy to you all on Jim's sudden passing. He was truly a cop's cop and did much for the advancement of our profession. He will be missed and please know you will be in our prayers.
Wendi Walton
April 19, 2012
Our deepest sympathy for the loss of your husband, father and grandfather. Tom took a class that Jim taught years ago and still remembers him fondly. I met him on Grandparent's Day at Hendy and saw him at many functions for Morgan and John. He was dedicated to his family.
Tom and Wendi Walton
Gary & Jeanne Caccia
April 19, 2012
Chapman Family, We are so very sorry for your loss. Mr. Chapman touched both my life and my wife's. We were students at SHS in the early 70's and Jim was our instructor for Individual Freedom and Law. He was a wonderful and caring man. May the Peace of Christ be yours at this most difficult time.
Sue Sampsell-Wade
April 19, 2012
Kathy: Jim was a fine gentleman. He will be missed by all the people whose lives he made an impact on. God Bless you in this time of sorrow.
Jill Valeant
April 19, 2012
Chapman family,
I am sorry for your loss. I will always remember Mr. Chapman for his kind smile and hello each Sunday morning at OLL.
Jill Valeant
James Towner
April 19, 2012
Mr. Chapman was a great man and will be dearly missed. I learned a lot through CCC Criminal Justice. He is one of the main reasons I am where I am in law enforcement . Godspeed Mr Chapman
Chief David K. Rouse
April 19, 2012
Kathy, Sarah & Mary:
My deepest sympathy to you and your family. Jim was admired, revered and respected by all. He was a man of honor and principle who led by example. His integrity was second to none and many police officers who are on the job today have been successful because of the values that he instilled in his teachings. I know that I probably wouldn't be where I am today if not for him. The law enforcement community certainly misses him.
mary valeant
April 19, 2012
Mary, Sara, and Mrs. Chapman,
I'm so sorry to hear this news. I'll never forget our chats and his words of wisdom in the kitchen after school growing up. My thoughts and prayers are with you!
April 18, 2012
Dear Mrs. Chapman, Sarah and Mary:
My condolences and prayers are with you and your family in this difficult time. Mr. Chapman was my professor and mentor; and a great guy. He will be missed.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Colleen (Ryan) Quattrini
Horseheads, NY
Kimberley McConnell Arroyo
April 18, 2012
Mrs. Chapman, Sarah and Mary,
I am so sorry to learn of your loss. Sarah and Mary, it was always so nice to see your dad when I was still in Elmira or when I would come back home. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
John Rich
April 18, 2012
Jim was my teacher in high school and my professor in college. He was a very important mentor to me and will be greatly missed. I am sorry for your loss and also sorry that I cannot attend his calling hours or funeral .
Kate Lyon (Stanton)
April 18, 2012
Mr Chapman will always be remembered by the motto "Semper Fi" I had him as a teacher at Southside High school and will never forget him. So sorry for the loss.
Mike Semel
April 18, 2012
Kathy- I am so sorry to learn of your loss. Jim was a great teacher and friend. My sympathies to you and your family.
April 18, 2012
Dear Mrs. Chapman and Family,
My family and I were so saddend to hear of Jim's passing. He will forever be remembered by us for stepping into help our family in the darkest of times.
His counsel and expertise will always be remembered. He set a very high bar for what it means to be a man, friend,husband and father.
Your loss is this community's loss. His smile and wit will live on in the many that he touched.
Sincerely, John A.Moretti and Family
Jim Waters
April 18, 2012
My deepest, deepest sympathy to the entire Champman family. Jim was my professor in college, my mentor when I was a detective, and a close trusted friend when I was the chief of police in Elmira. He will be sorely missed!
Don Evans
April 18, 2012
To the Chapman Family,
I was sorry to read of Jim's passing,I worked with him for several years at the EPD. I found Jim to be a very likeable person and a pleasure to be around. He will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him.Jim was a true professional.
Don Evans
Fuquay Varina, NC
Josh Teeter
April 18, 2012
Mr. Chapman was a teacher of mine in highschool. I have never met a more stand-up guy. He will be missed!
Marion Wheaton
April 18, 2012
I am sorry to hear about JIm. I remember him when we would go to Carr's Corners. A wonderful person with a great outlook on life. Marion (McLaughlin) Wheaton
Betty Steere
April 18, 2012
Mary, I am very sorry to hear of your father's passing and want to express my deepest sympathy to you and your family. I'm sorry that I did not have the pleasure of meeting your dad - I heard he was a wonderful man, terrific father and grandfather! May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Scott Drake
April 18, 2012
Very sorry to hear of Jim's passing, he was a great guy who will be missed by many. God Bless
David Kole
April 18, 2012
I attended Session I STLEA in 1984, where I first met Jim and much later taught at STLEA academy. My prayers are with you and your family. Sincerely, D. Kole
Jerry Tucker
April 18, 2012
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Bob Quattrini
April 18, 2012
I always enjoyed Jim's company, whether it was at EPD, the Police Academy, or at the Mark Twain Golf Course. He was great man...who will be missed by all who knew him. May he rest in peace.
Jack Meck
April 18, 2012
I was shocked to hear about Jim. I was one of his student's and worked with him shortly befor his retirement. As a past member of the Viet Nam Veterians Of America, Jim always saluted me as we marched by in our annual parade. As a Marine, Jim lived by " Semper Fi " My deepest sympathy to Jm's Family. Sincerely,
Jack Meck
April 18, 2012
it was such a shock to read about Jim.
I was one of his students in criminal justice and worked with him prior to his retirement.
As a past member and president of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Jim always saluted me when I passed him during a parade.
As a Marine, Jim lived by "Semper Fi."
My deepest sympathy and prayers are extended to his wife and family.
Sincerely,
James Manning
April 18, 2012
Kathy & Family:
So sad to hear of Jimmy's passing. He was one of a kind - a good husband, father and grand-father; a good policeman who also trained others; a Marine who served his country.
My condolences and prayers.
Semper Fi, Jimmy and God Speed!
Jim Manning
Elmira, NY
CDR Joe F Poteat USCG ret
April 18, 2012
My condolences to the family. Jimmy was one of the good ones. Went to high school with him and was in the CJ program when he was in charge at CCC in early 80's. He will be missed.
Al Wilson
April 18, 2012
You were a good guy Jim, a great Police Officer and a good friend.
Al Wilson
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