Donald Lee “Chap” Chappell was born April 18th, 1929 in Van Nuys, California to Mary Bernice (Staats) and William Arthur Chappell. He passed away at his home Northeast of Durham, Oklahoma on Wednesday, March 1st, 2023 at the age of 93 years, 10 months and 11 days. Donald, known to most as “Donnie”, grew up in Durham, Oklahoma where he spent his childhood exploring the Antelope Hills. Donnie attended Durham High School graduating in 1947. He furthered his education at Oklahoma A&M University for a semester and was later drafted into the United States Army where he served during the Korean conflict. When his father passed away, Victor Wickersham a U.S. representative was instrumental in finding and getting him back to Durham and obtaining his eventual discharge. Donnie was later married to Grace Marie (Whitson) in Cheyenne, Oklahoma on July 8th, 1953. Together they made their home in the Durham community where they farmed and ranched sowing wheat on the same corner for 80+ years. For many years he traveled up north on hunting trips and was an avid black powder rifle enthusiast. For the better part of ten years in the late 80’s he was a representative for Superior Livestock where he sold cattle via satellite. Donnie never retired and even the current crop that’s in the ground was sown by Donnie. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, working cattle and his gun collection.
He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Norma Jo; grandson, Victor Redden; and one sister, Patricia Bernice Lytle.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 70 years, Grace, of the home; three daughters, Cherie Maddox and husband, Gary, Elk City, OK, Gina Swartwood and husband, Bob, Tulsa, OK, and Kim Chappell, Weatherford, OK; eight grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren, one great grandson on the way; niece, Mary- Ann Sturm and a host of other relatives and friends.
Graveside Services were held Sunday, March 5, 2023 at the Fairview Cemetery in Durham, Oklahoma under the direction of Affordable Cremation West, Elk City, Oklahoma.