Kenny E Chapman

In Loving Memory of Kenny E. Chapman

A Beloved Father, Grandfather, Husband, Prominent Businessman, Friend, and Icon of Adel, Iowa.

Kenny Chapman, a cherished figure in the Adel community, peacefully passed away on May 17, 2025, at the remarkable age of 87. His life was a tapestry woven with love, laughter, extraordinary achievements, and unforgettable memories. We invite all who knew him to join us in celebrating his legacy. A visitation will be held on May 22, 2025, at Caldwell Parrish (735 S 14th St, Adel, IA 50003) from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The funeral service will take place on Friday, May 23, 2025, at the Old Adel High School, where he once walked the halls as a student, at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow immediately after at Oakdale Cemetery in Adel.

Kenny was born on April 15, 1938, in Adel, Iowa, to Rose and Herb Chapman. He graduated from Adel High School, where he not only excelled in basketball and track but also became known for his playful spirit and mischievous pranks. One memorable incident involved him secretly rigging the sound system during a school concert, leading to a hilarious moment when classmates unknowingly broadcast their embarrassing comments throughout the gymnasium.

A true pioneer in fixing things and embracing technology, Kenny’s family fondly recalls that there was virtually nothing he couldn’t repair or improve. His ingenuity shone through when he famously installed a television in his 1954 Crown Vic—a feat nearly unheard of in the 1950s. As recounted in a newspaper article titled “The Luckiest Man in the World,” the television in his car was ingeniously powered by a World War II dynamo. One memorable evening during a high school football game, he decided to have a little fun by cleverly connecting the car’s bumper to the wires that fans often held onto for support. When he flipped the switch, it sent shockwaves through the wires, causing several fans to stumble to the ground in surprise. He humorously remarked, “It wasn’t enough to hurt anyone, but it sure did give them a shock.”

Kenny had a passion for cars and racing. He not only participated in go-kart races but also had a knack for outrunning the police, often sharing tales of his escapades with his good friend Jack. One particularly entertaining story involved a narrow escape from law enforcement in Sequim, Washington, which included a ferry, a heated argument, and a police officer. Another family favorite was when he admitted to an officer that he was driving too fast, only to hear the comical   response, “I don’t think you were driving too fast; you were flying too low!”

Before settling down, he ventured to Montana to work on an oil rig, gaining experiences that he would recount with the flair of a true storyteller. Kenny eventually returned to Adel, where he met his first wife, Claudia, and welcomed four children: Terry, Tammy, Teresa, and Todd. During this time, he formed lasting friendships with characters like Merle Haselhuhn, Jim Rhoten, Loyd Grove, and the infamous Jack Chapman. Although he briefly worked for Jack at Goodyear, Kenny preferred to do things his way - a sentiment echoed in his favorite karaoke song, “My Way”; He later founded Ken’s TV and Appliance, now Adel & Winterset TV & Appliance - Heating and Cooling, which has proudly served the community for the last 65 years.

At the age of 42, Kenny married Linda Lou Lockhart, and together they welcomed his fifth child, Kenny (KC) Chapman, into their wonderful life. Remarkably, until the last couple of years, all of his children—including Claudia and her significant other, Earl—gathered for holiday celebrations, a testament to Kenny’s ability to unify and connect those around him.

Kenny was truly a once-in-a-lifetime personality. His kindness, quick wit, ingenuity, and care for others, combined with his business acumen and gentle fatherly nature, made him an icon in the community and a hero to all five of his children. If you were fortunate enough to meet him, even briefly, he left a lasting impression. Adel may never be the same without seeing Kenny’s white truck heading up Grove Street for his daily lunch, where he often joked about “checking his eyes for pinholes” (his playful term for napping). He left a mark that will endure for years to come. Kenny served as the grand marshal for the Sweet Corn Festival multiple times and is nearly famous for inventing the sweet corn cooker, responsible for cooking thousands—if not millions—of ears of corn over the years. He was also the vice chairman of the Quasquicentennial, a long-time member of the Lions Club, President of the Jaycees, and a long-time member of Adel’s Chamber of Commerce. If that wasn’t enough, he served as a volunteer firefighter, with his name still honored for his dedicated service to this day.

Like Frank Sinatra’s lyrics in “My Way”, Kenny truly did things his way, but he also did them the right way. We love you so much. You will be deeply missed by your wife, loyal patrons, children, and adoring grandchildren. Your legacy of love and laughter will forever remain in our hearts.

Kenny is survived by his wife of 45 years, Linda; 5 children: Terry (Teresa), Tammy (Brett), Teresa, Todd (Chris), and KC (Emilee); 13 grandchildren, Michael, Mattie, Michelle, Brandon, William, Justin, Josh, Brittany, Kendra, Megan, Jordan, Jackson, and Jayden; great- grandchildren, Lucas, Norah, Lillie, Beckett, Callan, Pearl, Cash, Jet, Liam, Landon, Brinlee, Grayson, Brecken, Greenly, Bella, Owen, and Brooks.

Kenny is preceded in death by his first wife, Claudia; parents, Rose and Herbert Chapman; brothers, Wilford (Bill), Eugene, Harold, Don, and Harlan Chapman; and sisters Kathryn and Wilma.

A special thank you to Greg Defoe for arranging for the family to have the services at the old high school from which Kenny graduated. We truly feel that this was the icing on the cake and a testament to the community giving back to the man who gave so much.