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Ray Chapman Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Ray Chapman
Nick Pruitt
April 6, 2025
Ray Chapman, thinking about you today and googled to find this obit. I first met you in 1977 at the first sanctioned match for points towards qualifying for the 1979 world championships in South Africa. Jerry Usher prepped you as the premier IPSC shooter. Our newly formed club of about 30 shooters were excited that you were coming, and I believe most of us shook your hand after you showed us what a truly accomplished shooter could do. You of course won the match and I thought that was the last I would see of you and that level of greatness. But I couldn´t shake the shooting bug and had many encounters with you in the years to come. Realizing that we had similar personalities, quiet, sort of introverted and analytical. I enjoyed watching you manage the Bianchi Cup with excellence and grace, once disqualified me for missing my shoot time. The next year I approached your table at the awards banquet and thanked you and your beautiful wife for all you had done for the shooting sports. I´m so glad I did that. I knew that was my last major Match, as I shook your hand I was thinking, thank you for inspiring me at the very beginning of my shooting career and also the very end. You were one of the best , and that is evident by reading the other comments here and also your Obituary. God Bless RIP
Mick Roscoe
January 22, 2009
I had the honour of receiving instruction from Ray in June 1993 when he enrolled me in his Advanced Pistol Course. There were only four students on this course, and he was going to cancel but as I was travelling from Australia he maintained the course. He allowed me to film his instruction, he also loaned me a small minibus and recommended I stay at a nearby motel. It's the best week of professional instruction I have ever received. We all went to dinner and I was a little nervous asking the 'guru' questions about shooting, but he answered without hesitation. I could tell he had 'been there - done that'. I've incorporated his training in mine ever since. It was a privilege to meet him and spend time on the range, humbled by his extraordinary experience and utter command of the shooting discipline. A true gentleman. - Mick Roscoe, Tactical Response Team, Australian Federal Police.
Stephen Schaefer
September 23, 2008
Was proud to know you. Really enjoyed your instruction.
Jim Rogers
May 30, 2008
I was thinking about you Ray and whishing to thank you for all you taught me. So I got on google and found out about your passing. Ray thanks for your unselfish support. I thank you for the confidence your gave me and the great times at the range. My family will miss you and Rowdy your dog. I will always remember, front site, front site, front site. I remember when I once came in ahead of you in a match and how proud I was, later I realized it was you who was really proud. Thanks again for giving me a talent which I have shared with many students. Peace to you and yours.
Gary Girard
May 13, 2008
it was great knowlng & shooting with you.you will be missed.
Chuck Wilson
April 15, 2008
Wouldn't we all like to have been there when Will Rogers met Ray Chapman!! (You had to have been around years ago to get this.....)
Bill Edwards
March 17, 2008
In my first Chapman course I was lying prone trying to hit the paper at 50 yds while Ray stood next to me shooting popcans!Seeing I was having trouble, he took ammo from one of his mags and handed it to me. When this made litttle difference, he loaded his ammo in my gun,shot 6 rounds with 1 miss and told me"hell that damned gun don't shoot.Get rid of it!" I did.Thanks Ray for this and other fond memories.
Poodie Locke
March 17, 2008
A great Texan!
LaVoid McKibbin
February 21, 2008
Meeting Ray just a few short years ago and spending a few moments in conversation with him were only clues to how great a gentleman he really was. I am only now learning of his accomplishments in detail and hope to be a fraction of the gentleman and positive human being as he.
Warren Brewer
February 20, 2008
For those who were privleged to know Ray, you'll remember the sign that hung outside the office door of the Hallsville range. "Will Rogers never met Ray Chapman" Well now Will will get that opportunity and I think they'll get along just fine. Of course, Mr. Rogers will need to correct that slouch and lean into the target.
Bob Houzenga
February 11, 2008
I trained under Ray beginning in the early 80's and there is no doubt he was a tremendous influence not only in my Law Enforcement career but in my shooting success. God bless you Ray you were truly one of the greats and also a dear friend.
Tony Fast
February 8, 2008
I shot in the old MPPL club in Columbia in the early 80's at the Chapman Academy. Ray influenced myself and many others with his style and teachings.
Jim Stout
February 8, 2008
A great teacher and friend, who's kindness will always be remembered.
Warren Anderson
February 8, 2008
I attended the Chapman Academy in 1989 and spent 3 days with Ray. All he taught me is still remembered today. He was truly a master of firearms and a wonderful human being. I am deeply saddened to hear of his passing. May he rest in peace.
Keith
February 8, 2008
I was lucky enough to have Ray "teach" me the ins and outs of pistol marksmanship right after being hired by our sheriff's department. He taught me well and I have learned a great deal amount from him over the last 20+ Years. Ray you will be missed. God Speed.
Clive Whelan
February 8, 2008
The first Australian Shooting Team arrived in Columbia to shoot the Bianchi Cup in 1989 and Ray treated us as long lost friends.He continued to be a friend and will be sadly missed by us all.
Chuck Wilson
February 7, 2008
My friendship with Ray began when he bought 30 acres from me and my family to start the Chapman Academy. Over the years we spent many a fine time together!! He is truly one of the greatest men I have ever had the privilege to know. I will never forget the many things he taught me, or his true friendship. Our great loss is God's gain. I hope if God goes through one of Ray's classes, He pays attention!!
John Leveron
February 6, 2008
I will always value what Ray taught me, and not only his own war service but how he trained so many military and police units to win.
He will be missed by all he trained, and competed with, and our country was a better, stronger place with his work.
Chapman Instructors
February 6, 2008
Ray was an underreported figure within the Practical Shooting world, because he spent so much time doing, instead of talking.
He will be missed, and all of the instructors he instructed, developed, and finally approved will continue to carry on with his teachings at his Academy.
Vince Pinto, IPSC Secretary
February 6, 2008
Ray's passing is a sad loss to the practical shooting community.
On behalf of the International Practical Shooting Confederation, I extend our sincere condolences to his family.
William Shansey
February 6, 2008
I only just heard. Ray will be missed by all who new him and by many who never met him. He was a pioneer in the field of modern pistol shooting who forever changed the skill and its teaching.
I am afraid I gave him much annoyance, but he still had the patience to teach me and let me benefit from his tremendous knowledge and experience.
May he rest with God.
Marc Armstrong
February 6, 2008
Jamie and I will miss you a lot.
It was an honor and a pleasure to have known you and a priviladge to have received trainning from you.
Rest well ,you have deserved it.
Marc and Jamie Armstrong
C Fahey
February 6, 2008
Enjoyed shooting with you in Dripping Springs. Rest in peace.
Brooks and Dee Dee Ellis
February 6, 2008
Our heartfelt wishes go out to the family,and all those who knew Ray. He was a dear friend, and a true gentleman. We will miss him.
Paul Burtchell
February 6, 2008
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Chuck Edwards
February 6, 2008
I was privileged to meet with and learn from Ray a few years ago. He was bluff and honest and good-natured. His passing is a loss to us and a gift to Heaven. He's probably already pullng St. Peter's leg about something!
Rest in peace, my friend.
February 6, 2008
I'll miss seeing Ray's smiling face down at the end of the bar at Poodies Hilltop. My thoughts and prayers are with all who knew him and loved him.
Massad Ayoob
February 6, 2008
Uncle Ray did so much for the discipline, for the sport, and for officer survival. He will be missed...and he will be memorialized.
Dr. Jim Schiefen
February 6, 2008
My thoughts are with your family.
I shot IPSC with Ray in the late 70's and early 80's. He introduced
me to the sport and I will be ever
thankful for having known him.
George McLain
February 6, 2008
Ray may you rest in peace, your friend George Mclain swinging doors a jukebox and a barstool
Tom Dresner
February 6, 2008
I just heard!
Ray taught this then snot-nosed college student everything about pistol shooting, and opened his range to me for many years thereafter.
He influenced my decision to enter law enforcement and was a pioneer in officer survival training, and took great care in instilling that in me.
I am honored to have called him my friend.
Ray, you made a great impact on my life and I will miss you!
Godspeed!
lynn jones
February 6, 2008
One of the forefathers of pistol craft. He will be missed.
Clyde Long
February 6, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Michael Webb
February 6, 2008
I am deeply saddened to hear about Rays passing. He was a great man and when you were around him you could feel that greatness. My condolences to Beverly and all his friends and family.
Steve Jolly
February 6, 2008
Ray Chapman was a legendary figure to me as a young man growing up in Abilene and just learning about practical pistol shooting. I regret that I never had the chance to meet him.
Louie Long
February 6, 2008
The Troubadillos will miss the support and friendship Ray gave us on Tuesday's at Poodies .
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