James R. Chapman, the son of Ralph and Sylvia (Willett) Chapman, was born on June 9, 1941, in Nelson, Nebraska. He died Dec. 11, 2019, at the CHI Health Good Samaritan Hospital at Kearney, Neb. the age of 78 years, 5 months, 22 days.

Jim was a Nelson High School graduate. He married Mildred Marie Reece and they had two children. They later divorced. Jim was employed by the State of Nebraska Department of Roads. He was a 31-year member of the Nelson Community United Church of Christ.

Jim enlisted in the United States Army in January of 1962 and was honorably discharged in March of 1967 serving during the Vietnam War. He was a member of the American Legion and VFW. He coached little league baseball and basketball. He enjoyed all sports, golf, football, basketball, baseball, fishing, hunting and all his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Sylvia.

Survivors include his life partner and mother of his children, Mildred Chapman of Nelson; daughter, Melissa (Terry) Cox of Lawrence; son, Travis (Rachel) Chapman of Beatrice; step-son, Gregory (Marian) Reece of Davenport; and son, Randall Bennett Chapman from a previous marriage to Karen; five grandchildren, Jordan (Regan) Cox and Bailey Cox, Tyler Reece, Landen and Breanna Chapman; and his sister, Dixie Gray of Bloomington, Ind .; other relatives and a host of friends.

A memorial service with military honors will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, June 25, from the Nelson Community United Church of Christ in Nelson, with Pastor Joyce Dean officiating.

Recorded music will be played.

Honorary pallbearers are Dale Musgrave and Kevin Kulek.

Private family inurnment was in the Nelson Cemetery at Nelson.

Memorials are suggested to go to the family towards a large digital scale and chairs for the hospital and medical center.

Condolences may be sent to Klawitter-Price Funeral Home, 446 South Main St., Nelson, Nebraska 68961 or in care of http://www.pricefuneral homes.com.

Klawitter-Price Funeral Home of Nelson, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.