Rex Harvey Chappell Jr.

1941 - 2025

BORN

1941

DIED

2025

Rex Chappell Obituary

Name: Celebration of Life for Rex Harvey Chappell Jr.
Start: 2025-10-25T17:00:00.000Z
Location: Sierra College Gymnasium

Rex Harvey

Chappell, Jr.

December 11, 1941 – September 28, 2025

Rex Harvey Chappell passed away on September 28, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family. Born in Nevada City, CA on December 11, 1941, Rex lived a life full of passion, dedication, and heart - most of all for his family, friends, and students, fishing, jazz music, and the game of football.

Rex (Butch) is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Yvonne, and their three children: Stacey Hay (Tom), Kelly Hunkins (Scott), and Matt Chappell (Juli). He was a proud grandfather and great-grandfather to Alison Hunkins (Tori Goble); Brad Hunkins (Justine), with children Landon and Carson; Emily Staat (Spencer), with children Dorothy and Peter; Maciel Hay (Jake Bullock); Thomas Hay (Lyito); Julia Hay; Matthew Hay; and Henry Hay.

Rex is also survived by his brother, Harry H. "Rush" Chappell (Carol Lee), and by sisters-in-law Maxine Swan (Cy), Marilyn Meservey, and Jacci Filer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rex H. Chappell, Sr. and Wanda M. Chappell, and by his in-laws, Lawrence William Filer and Maciel Filer.

He leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews: Denise Wood (Mike), Jennifer Elliott, Eric Elliott, Greg Ruffner, Melynda Cathers, Aldina Fleming (Mike), Aaron Swan (Summer), Shannon McAdams, Trever Cartwright (Terry), Jake Cartwright (Debbie), Shae Nightingale, Lindsay Nightingale, Bobby Chappell, Mike Chappell (Kathy), and Sandy Smith (Charlene).

A lifelong educator and coach, Rex spent decades teaching and inspiring young people in both the classroom and on the field. His career spanned Arcata High School, Humboldt State University, and Sierra College, where he taught multiple subjects and coached a variety of sports. However, his deepest love was for football and he was the head football coach at Sierra College for 20 years. Rex's own football journey began at Nevada Union High School, class of 1959, and continued at Sierra College and Humboldt State.

Those who knew Rex will remember his steady presence on the sidelines, his sharp wit, his love of the game, and his unwavering dedication to those around him. He will be dearly missed and forever honored by the many lives he touched.

A celebration of Rex's life will be held in the new Sierra College Gymnasium in Rocklin on Saturday, October 25 at 5 PM.

The family of Rex Chappell requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Sierra College Wolverine Athletic Association.

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

Published by The Union on Oct. 17, 2025.

Memorial Events
for Rex Chappell

Oct

Celebration of Life

5:00 p.m.

Sierra College Gymnasium

Rocklin, CA

Memories and Condolences
for Rex Chappell

8 Entries

Joanne Jean Carper Erickson

October 22, 2025

I will always remember Rex in our class of "59". Happy go lucky, never judgmental and always a friend to everyone. I am sure he will be greatly missed by everyone in his family and circle of friends. Rest in peace our friend!
Joanne Jean Carper

Patricia Osborne Stegen

October 21, 2025

Butch and his brother, Rush, were two of the Bennett Street neighborhood kids my brothers and I used to play with in the 40s and 50s. We had a gigantic backyard where we all gathered for baseball games. It was great! Attached is a photo with rush on the left and Butch on the right.

I also remember Yvonne as one of the nicest girls from NUHS. So many memories...

I send my condolences to Yvonne and the family.
Sincerely, Patricia Osborne Stegen

Dale Brevoort

October 18, 2025

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Sven Ostrom

October 18, 2025

Rex will always carry a special place in our family´s hearts. He was a loyal friend, a wonderful role model, and always wonderful to be around. Sven Ostrom

Sue Keller

October 16, 2025

Yvonne and family,

So sorry for your loss. Rex was a good man and always so kind to me and Dawn in the office.

Craig Smalley

October 16, 2025

Marcia and I were saddened to hear about Rex. We hope that Yvonne and the family are doing okay.

Coach Shelly (Anderson) Patterson

October 11, 2025

Coach Chappell was a wonderful father-figure and Coach to me. He is one of the reasons I became a Coach and Injury Coach in multiple sports from elementary to college levels for over 45 years. He gave me the honor of being the first female to work in the training room at Sierra Junior College in 1976. He instilled in me the passion I have for coaching and caring for injured athletes to this day.

Coach Chappell taught me how to throw the javelin, shot, and discus. The throws became my specialty on every team I coached. He taught me how to be a "Competitor´s Coach". Because he was patient, encouraging, and never failed to laugh at me and give me grief when I when I didn´t do as well as he or I thought I could, I treated and coached all my athletes the same way.

Coach Chappell loved his family and talked of them often. He treated me like a daughter. He made sure the football and wrestling teams respected me; and of course they were also encouraged to tease me, give me grief, and provide endless hours of entertainment and laughter.

I am so sorry for the tremendous loss to his family, friends, and former athletes. I am praying for us all.