Warren Ray Chapman

Warren R. Chapman, age 81, passed away Saturday, January 21, 2023 in Bernalillo, NM.

He was born April 11, 1941 in Sullivan, IN to Charles Clement and Mary Frances (Gamble) Chapman.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Brenda Rae Chapman; sister, Nancy A. (Chapman) Kraps; nephew, Keith Kraps; brother-in-law, Larry Banks.

He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Elsie E. (Hirst) Chapman; his son, Jeffery W. Chapman and wife, Kathy; granddaughters: Amber Rummel and husband, David and family, and Hayley Laizure and husband, Steven and family; grandson, Eric Chapman and partner, Samantha; sister, Brenda (Chapman) Banks; brother-in-law, J. Howard Kraps; nieces: Karen (Kraps) Hitchell and husband, Bob and family; Kay (Kraps) Dorris and husband, and family; Christina Banks-Pulvar; nephew, Deryl Banks; first wife, Rae Linda McGovern.

He graduated from Sullivan High School, Sullivan, IN in 1959. He then went to Lincoln Christian College and Seminary in Springfield, IL for his degree in Minister of Arts in 1962. He was awarded his Master’s in Ministry of Divinity in 1980.

Warren enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1972. Following basic training he was stationed at Camp Zama, Japan from 1973-1974 when he was transferred to Ft. Huachuca, AZ on compassionate reassignment (his daughter became gravely ill) and was discharged from active duty in 1978 and continued to serve in the United States Army Reserves until retirement January 1996. While in the Reserves he spent his annual 2 weeks of training at many different Army Posts in the field and/or in an office. He was called back to active duty for Desert Shield/Desert Storm to Saudi Arabia in December 1990 and was there until April 1991.

While stationed at Ft. Huachuca, he founded a gospel quartet that visited area churches and gave concerts for several years until the members received orders for reassignment. That is military life. Also while at Ft. Huachuca, he met his future wife, Elsie. We had our official wedding in New Jersey in September 1975. Then we planned a wedding for friends and Warren’s son, Jeff, at Kino Chapel on Ft. Huachuca which was a military wedding in October.

In his civilian life Warren was a minister/pastor at numerous churches. His heart was in evangelism and growing churches from the beginning with a small group of believers and/or rebuilding churches in states of Arizona (1978-1980 and 1984-1989), Idaho (1980-1984), Virginia (1989-1999), Alabama (1999-2006) and New Mexico (2006-present). When we moved to New Mexico it was with the intention of him retiring but he agreed to be interim minister at the church we were attending at that time (2008-2010).

His favorite pastimes included fishing, hunting, yard sales/flea markets (buying and selling), working in the yard, and reading (especially westerns).

A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Calvary-Rio Rancho, 138 Frontage Rd NE, Rio Rancho, NM.  A Committal Service will be held Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Santa Fe National Cemetery, 501 N Guadalupe St, Santa Fe, NM with Full Military Honors.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in memory of Warren to your charity of choice.

Daniels Family Funeral Services

3113 Carlisle Blvd NE

Albuquerque, NM 87110

505-884-1188