Ches Chapman

1. Ches Chapman Photo Book & Written History

2. Ches Chapman was born May 21, 1927, the same day that Charles Lindbergh landed the Spirit of St. Louis in Paris, France. Ches’ father, George Chapman, wanted to name him Charles but Ches’ mother, Violet Chapman, was afraid he would end up with the nickname Charlie. Ches was named after his uncle, Chesley. Ches was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts and raised in nearby Revere.

3. Revere, Massachusetts is a tourist town North of Boston. It is famous for it’s Revere Beach and the amusement park along the beachside. Ches spent his summers swimming in the ocean and riding the roller coasters.

4. Growing up in Revere Growing up Ches played baseball , listened to AM radio shows like The Lone Ranger and listening to Big Band music. Ches’ dog, Jerry, was a black water-spaniel and a best friend to Ches and his younger sister, Lois.

5. The Great New England Hurricane of 1938 The biggest scare to Ches in his childhood was the New England Hurricane of 1938. Hundreds were killed and billions of dollars in damage was caused when the hurricane ripped through New England.

6. In Ches’ senior year he enlisted in the Navy. He was called to duty on June 1st, 1945. His high school graduation was June 15th. Ches’ mother received the diploma in his absence. Ches attended boot camp at the Sampson Naval Training Center in New York. After boot camp and a short leave with his family, Ches took the troop train to California and steamed across the Pacific to his duty station in Hiro, Japan in September 1945. One month earlier WWII had ended with the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

8. Ches served aboard the USS Vulcan (AR5) for one year. He spent his time around Japan and in the Persian Gulf until he was discharged in 1947.

9. Once back home Ches attended Bentley College earning a degree in Accounting. On April 9, 1952 Ches wrote a check for $2,173.37 for a brand new 1952 Ford.

11. Ches still has the cancelled check.

12. In 1954 Ches married Norma. Ches’ family had immigrated to the United States from Newfoundland, Canada in the 1920’s. Norma was also from Newfoundland and had moved to Boston where she met Ches. They were married for 52 years until her death in 2006 after losing her 3 ½ year battle with Ovarian cancer. Norma loved to travel. She and Ches would see much of the U.S., Europe and Canada throughout their life together. They raised two daughters.

13. Deborah Chapman Born May 25, 1956 Now living in Chicago Barbara Chapman Born June 9, 1959 Now living in Houston

14. Ches began working for Standard Oil (now ExxonMobil) in 1954. His job would relocate his family to New York in 1963 and Maryland in 1971 before ending up in Texas in 1976 until retirement in 1986. Ches and Norma decided to stay in Houston

15. Ches adapted well to Houston. After donning his boots and cowboy hat, Ches bought a house in Champions Forest off 1960 in North Houston where he would reside for 32 years until September 2008 when Hurricane Ike destroyed his home. Ches would loose most of his valuables to water damage. Ches moved into the Mansions in the Forest of The Woodlands in December 2008. He is looking forward to staying there a long time.

16. Ches with his daughters, Barbara & Deborah. He gets a call from them every morning.