John Chapman, Chapman Automotive #49 Racing Team

Our names are Tamara Dugan and John Chapman II, and our father was John Thomas Chapman. Our father left this world, and our family on the evening of April 6th, 2023 at only 57 years of age. Anyone who knew our father knew that his world was full of hobbies, his business, "toys," his fur children, his friends and his family. We are so very heartbroken as we move through this time and grieve. We understand that our father's life, kindness, generosity and willingness to help others in need brought him into so, so many people's lives. We would like to share a little of his life with you...

Our father had dreams as a young person of one day being able to do what he had a passion for, work on automobiles and anything that fell under that. He was the smartest mechanic, gearhead, and encyclopedia of anything car-related that I knew...but it was not just automobiles that he was smart with. He was driven, focused and hard-working. He put his mind to anything that he wanted to do, and he did it. So after his time with the Army, he was able to start building his dream. With the help of an uncle, he opened up the shop we all know now as Chapman Automotive on April 6th, 1992. Because of the way that our father was, honest, reliable, dedicated and ambitious, he made that business successful. For 31 years, Chapman Automotive has been a well-named automotive repair shop, not just because of the team that he made with his mechanics, but because our dad always put people and their needs first. He stood behind everything that he did, and people learned to trust he would be "their car guy"...and they stayed. Some of his customers have been there for 20-plus years, some since the grand opening. He has that way with people, they respect him and trust him, and it's because he was a good man, with a good heart.

Our dad got into racing vehicles 30 or so years ago and started out at Galesburg Speedway. He soon moved to the Kalamazoo Speedway, and there he settled in and made a name for himself in the racing community. Anyone who knew racing at Kalamazoo Speedway knew #49, and the telltale color red. Our dad took over his own father's racing number, out of love and respect for him when he retired from racing himself. The name John Chapman made its rounds through the decades at Kalamazoo Speedway, from racing in Outlaw Superlate Models, to Enduros to Street Stock. He raced with honor, dignity and respect for himself, others and the sport. The amount of racing family that our father gained through his time out there has been overwhelming to hear from.

My whole life, people would come up to me who knew our father, and tell me stories about watching him race, how he helped fix their cars, how he supported their dreams, how he was that one person who saved their ruined day on a family trip. From the Army to Chapman Automotive or the Kalamazoo Speedway, he made and found new family and friends throughout his whole life wherever he went. He was an extraordinary person, with a huge heart and willingness to show up for others.

We are so proud of our father, who he was for us, who he was for thousands of people...and we appreciate the love and support that has been received so far. While some of the family has been able to reply to messages, my brother and I have had to try to get our heads on straight and get ready for the coming weeks. Our father built a miniature empire for John and me, but life happens a lot quicker than we would all like to admit and unfortunately, John and I will have a lot to work through with lawyers once this emotional storm settles some. Our father left us with a lot to handle, he thought he could live forever...and to be honest, so did we. He was the strongest, most solid man I've ever known, I never would have believed we would lose him at only 57 years of age.

So, it is with the utmost humble hearts that John and I are making this GoFundMe to ask for any support that those who loved and cared for our father, or who may be able, or willing to show. We have a lot on our plates, from our father's personal life, hobbies, toys and business end of his life...we will be busy for a few years, we expect. My brother, John, is still in the Navy and is home now on leave for our father's passing. After his leave is up, things will be left to me to continue handling here in Michigan. There will be lawyers, hardships and headaches everywhere we turn. It is hard for us to do so, but we are asking for your help. We have services that will take place in the next coming weeks after he has been cremated. He will be honored at Fort Custer with a full solute, something that he would be very proud of. He always was a very, very proud Veteran of his country. Part of his remains will be spread over his mother's plot, so he can be with her also.

As we finalize dates closer to the time, we will make updates with the date, time and location for our father's services. We will do everything we can to spread the word, but we could also use all the help we can get to spread the word even further. We know our father touched many thousands of people's lives, and we want to make sure our father would be proud of how we handle the upcoming weeks and services that we put together for him. Share this post, and send it to everyone you know that knows John T Chapman....owner of Chapman Automotive, #49 Racing Team, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle and so much more to so many people. Please help us share our father's memory, and if you are able, please send a donation towards settling his estate and giving him an honorable departure with his friends and family.

Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts for all the love, support, kind words, advice and overall warmth that has been sent to our family in this crazy, painful and confusing time. Our father would be so grateful for the kind words that have been sent to his children. My brother is only 26 at this time of losing his father, and I am 35 myself...neither of us is "old enough" to be grieving our father yet, to be feeling this devastating loss yet. But here we are, and we can only keep moving forward and show our father that he can continue to be proud of us and what we're doing for him. Our father made sure that we knew we were loved, and I can't say that there is much more comfort in life than that. Knowing your parent loves you unconditionally, would fight the world to keep you safe and tells you all the time what a great pride you are for him. We miss our father deeply, and we thank you, along with all of our family, for the support you all have given and for whatever support may come our way in the coming weeks and months. We believe that our parents are invincible, but they are not...so hug yours a little harder tonight, you never know when that could be your last hug, your last "I love you." We love you Dad...we don't know how we're going to get through this, but we know that somehow you will get us through.