John T. Chapman

John Thomas Chapman passed away Thursday, April 6, 2023, at the age of 57. He was born in Kalamazoo, MI on December 19, 1965, to Robert and Barbara (Louallen) Chapman. In his early years, John played football, little league, raced BMX, was a wrestler, and was a “Little Brother” in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.  In his adult life, he was into bowling and softball.   He entered the United States Army in 1985 and was a proud Gulf War Veteran who was stationed in Heidelberg, Germany.  After being honorably discharged from the Army in 1991, John started Chapman Automotive with his Uncle Billy on April 6, 1992.  John was very proud of the business he had built, grown and run for 31 years to the day. John was a true "gearhead" who was passionate about racing, muscle cars, really any “toys” with wheels. Cars were his passion, and there wasn’t anything he couldn’t do with them. He raced everything from outlaw super late models, to enduros and factory stock at Kalamazoo Speedway for 30 years. His racecar number was #49, which was his father's racing number, and he took over out of respect. John also enjoyed four wheeling, go carting, dune bugging, and building and restoring muscle cars.  He was a jack of all trades.  Anything he saw and wanted to accomplish, he could. Surviving John are his two children, Tamara (Brittney) Dugan and John Chapman II; granddaughter, Sable Sutton; father, Robert (Barbara) Chapman; sister, Tammy (Leonard) Turner; half-sister, Lisa Chapman-Rardin; stepbrother, Skip (Danielle) Thompson; uncles, Russell (Jan) Chapman and William "Billy" Louallen; nieces, Tiffany Turner and Tiara Turner ; great nephew, Zaiden Turner; cousins, Ilene "Jeanie" Hensley, John Chapman, Betty McNally and Missy Gless. He was preceded in death by his mother, Barbara; grandfather, William Louallen. A Memorial Gathering will take place on Thursday, April 20th , 2023, beginning at 2:30 pm at the VFW Post 7956, 13540 W M-96 Augusta, MI 49012. Interment will take place at Ft. Custer National Cemetery with military honors Thursday, April 20th, 2023, at 1:30 pm. Arrangements entrusted to Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services 622 S Burdick St. Kalamazoo, MI 49007.