Holmes Edward Chapman

1936 - 2022

Holmes Edward Chapman

November 19, 1936 - January 25, 2022

On Tuesday, January 25, 2022, Holmes Edward "Eddie" Chapman exited his physical life. His passing was due to natural causes at the age of 85.

Eddie was born to Nathanial Gatewood Chapman and Katherine Roberts Chapman on November 19, 1936, in Trevilians, Va., in Louisa County, one of nine children. His sisters, Margaret Chapman Brookman and Katherine Chapman Shawver survive him. He is also survived by his wife, Barbara McCauley Chapman, as well as children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

From childhood Eddie was identified as a leader. While attending Clark Elementary School, he was awarded the DAR medal for qualities of leadership, service, courage, and patriotism. These qualities would be present throughout his life, both in his academic life as well as his future success in business.

Eddie graduated as Salutatorian at Lane High School in Charlottesville, Va. in 1955 and he was class president of the class of 1955. Not only successful in academics, he was also a leader in athletics. Eddie served as captain of the football team, and earned letters in football, basketball and track. At Lane High School he was awarded several local and state awards for his leadership in football.

As a scholarship student at the University of Virginia from 1955-1959, Eddie received a B.S. degree in Commerce with a minor in Military Science. Upon graduation, he was commissioned into the Army with the rank of Second Lieutenant. Following three years of active duty, he was promoted to the rank of Captain. He was also named Officer of The Year in 1961 for the 52nd Artillery Brigade with top secret clearance.

Eddie maintained a life membership in the University of Virginia Alumni Association and was also a member of the Jefferson Society. His love of football and UVA continued throughout his life. He and Barbara always had season tickets to the UVA home football and basketball games and regularly took part in the tailgate social activities at the games. Always believing in the social responsibility of sharing one's talents and skills with youth, Eddie coached football, basketball and baseball at the Blue Ridge School for three years.

He began his professional career in 1963, working for Upjohn Pharmaceuticals, then Sperry Marine Systems; then found his career path in the insurance industry, where he worked for 33 years in property and casualty insurance until his retirement in 2002.

Additionally, Eddie was a member of many clubs, organizations, and professional associations. In step with his belief that education is the key to personal success, he was elected to the Albemarle County School Board and was also a founding member of the Charlottesville-Albemarle Vo-Tech School in the early to mid-1970's.

Although he was a man of many gifts who had great success in his professional life, he lovingly embraced his role as patriarch of his family. Eddie has seven surviving children; four from his first marriage and three stepchildren from his near 30-year marriage to Barbara M. Chapman, Denise Chapman, Robin Chapman, Brian Chapman and Toby Chapman, and stepchildren Forrest Rea Marshall, III, Kevin Todd Marshall, and Stefanie Marshall Harrington. From these children, he also leaves eight surviving grandchildren, Megan, Lindsay, Michael, Kayla, Toby, McKenna, Blake and William, and three surviving great-grandchildren.

Eddie and Barbara were married in the Caribbean on the Island of St. Croix in 1994 and had a beautiful union that could serve as an example to many. Their devotion to one another was palpable to anyone who observed them. They were clearly each other's closest friend and ally. They shared a strong Christian faith, a love of the natural world and its beauty, and enjoyed spending the three winter months in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands where they were married and also owned property. Eddie spent long hours through all seasons working outside among nature tending to his fields, trees and flowers. This was a labor of love that brought him great peace. Eddie and Barbara are devout members of Beulah Baptist Church in Kents Store, Va., where they have a loving pastor and a family of dear friends who uplift them in Christ's love.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Beulah Baptist Church, Kents Store, Va. 9:30 a.m. Saturday, February 5, 2022. Interment will immediately follow at Monticello Memorial Gardens.

The family requests that those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to Beulah Baptist Church.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.hillandwood.com.