Thomas "Tom" Logan Chapman
January 13, 1949 ~ June 27, 2020
Born in:
Durham, NC
Resided in:
Candler, NC
Thomas “Tom” Logan Chapman, loving husband, father and grandfather passed away peacefully on June 27, 2020 at his residence in Candler, NC.
Born in Durham, NC to the late Loren and Ruth Chapman, he was a graduate of New Hanover High School (1967), the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1971), and Western Carolina University (1978). In 1972, he married Susan Brown and they moved to Candler where they have happily resided for the past 47 years. That same year he began teaching History at Enka High School where he taught until his retirement in 2003. During these years he very supportive of students and led many extracurricular activities on campus as well as chaperoning more than a dozen European travel tours. He always said that he felt fortunate to have been part of the Enka-Candler community that welcomed him and was such an important part of his life. During his time at Enka High he, alongside three teaching colleagues, formed the Old Man’s Running Group known as “The Four” and for more than two decades they blazed the trails at Enka High and the NC Arboretum and tackled numerous road races including three marathons. He enjoyed traveling the country and world and he and Susan had many great adventures together. He was a member of Montmorenci United Methodist Church and enjoyed working to support their community food market.
He is survived by his wife Susan B. Chapman, his sister Sharon Chapman (Bud), brother Paul Chapman (Gail), and brother Max Chapman (Denise). He is also survived by his daughter Amanda Chapman (Matt) and grandson Conan, daughter Jennifer Chapman Nelson (Brian) and grandchildren Quinn and Geneva, and son Benjamin Chapman (Heather) and grandchildren Austin, Alexia, and Axel.
A small private service will be held this week and a larger community celebration of life service will be held at Montmorenci United Methodist Church at a later date in 2021 once it is safe to do so given the pandemic.
The family would like to thank all of the medical staff at Messino Cancer Center, Mission Cancer Center, Duke Cancer Center, and CarePartners Hospice for their care and support.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Tom Chapman to the Montmorenci United Methodist Church Food Ministry, 89 Old Candler Town Road (mailing address P.O. Box 610) Candler, NC 28715.
Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue is assisting the family.
Services
Funeral Home Assisting The Family:
Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
My condolences to Mr Chapman’s family. His classes at EHS in the mid-seventies were enjoyable and challenging. He was a great influence for many students.
I had great respect, admiration and memories of Mr. Chapman. He will definitely be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to all in the Chapman family.
I loved Mr. Chapman! He was such a sweet man and he made a huge impact on my life!
I have fond memories of being in Tom Chapman’s history classes in the Annex. I will never forget his ghost stories and slamming a yard stick on the desk of any student who didn’t pay attention. LOL I can still hear that ring. Condolences to your family.
I am grateful for the lessons learned through my time both in and outside of Mr. Chapman’s classroom. His passion for history, educating students, and life were contagious to all who met him. My thoughts and prayers are with the Chapman family during this time.
Mr. Chapman was a beloved teacher for a reason. He could present his subject in a way that engaged and inspired every class member. When I had the opportunity to travel to Europe, I realized that I had retained so much history from his class. I am thankful to this day for teachers like him that make learning a joy.
A great friend and teacher. You will be missed.
So sad to see this news… Mr. Chapman was without a doubt one of my all time favorite teachers. I came into his Political Science class as a senior at Enka with an existing love of all things political, and he certainly helped to enhance that love. His “give and take” teaching method was perfect for the subject. He would challenge your positions and beliefs and then offer you the opportunity to express your opinions and defend them. His Thursday after school bowling league was always a blast as well.
To the family – You are in my prayers. He will be missed tremendously, but I’m sure we will see him again!
Tom Chapman was not only a teacher of history but someone whose influence was felt throughout Enka High School in every department as well as the Hominy Valley community. A trusted colleague, a respected scholar, a mentor to his students and friends–he was “one of the good ones,” and those who were privileged to have known and worked with him are so very lucky. “Mr. C,” you touched us all. Thank you.
My thoughts and prayers are with Tom’s family. He made a big impact on students and we are blessed to have teachers like Tom.
I am so grateful to be counted among the many students whose lives were forever shaped by Mr. Chapman. He was an AMAZING teacher, mentor, and friend. The way he shared his extensive knowledge of history always made all of us want to learn more! And, we can’t forget how much fun it was to watch the ACC Tournament in his classroom. Many of us carried on that tradition with him even after we were no longer in his class! To Mr. Chapman’s family – I am praying that the peace and comfort of Christ will surround you during the days ahead. Leah Willett Brown, Class of ’84
Please accept my sympathy for the loss of Mr. Chapman. He was a special part of the Enka-Candler community. Praying for peace and comfort.
Prayers for your family. Mr. Chapman touched many lives. He was a wonderful teacher and great influence.
I am saddened at the loss of a fellow teacher and good friend. My sympathies to the family as we grieve our loss.
Tom Chapman was an amazing history teacher and made coming to his class always an adventure. He had only been teaching a few years when I had him in class, but already he had the passion and encouragement to involve students and make them want to learn! Like many others I will never forget the”Jeopardy Game” to prepare us for the upcoming tests! It was so competitive and fun! I will always think of Mr. Chapman as one of the best teachers ever at Enka High School!! Thank you for all you did for your students and for the Enka-Candler community. He will always be remembered as a great educator and friend. Condolences and prayers to the family during this difficult time of sadness and loss. Our heart and prayers go out to you. May God give you comfort and peace. Mr. Chapman will be greatly missed but the legacy he leaves behind will always be with us.
Mr. Chapman was one of my favorite teachers at Enka. I learned soooooo much from him. He made learning an adventure. I never wanted to miss his class. He expected a lot from his students, and we try to deliver. He brought out the best in all his students. He will be missed. My condolences to his family. Class of ‘78.
My condolences to the family. In ‘‘80–81 I walked into the Annex into a room full of posters and a man smoking a pipe. Tom Chapman instilled a love of history in me that I have now passed down to my son. I remember the overhead projector, pages of notes, and those ungodly 5-7 page essay tests. But it was always great fun. He made learning joyous! There’s no greater tribute to give to a man.
I was fortunate enough to work with Tom and witnessed his commitment to the students and community of Hominy Valley. While serving as the principal at Enka, I never had to worry about any event Tom sponsored because it was going to be done with extreme attention to detail and because the students respected his leadership so much. Tom loved Enka High and enjoyed his employment there as much as he loved life. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with him and thankful for the influence he had on molding the home of the Jets into a school of distinction. For so many years, Tom voluntarily served as the school historian and his mark on “The Flagship” will be everlasting. May he rest in peace and I pray that God’s love will embrace the family and his friends in the coming days.
I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Chapman’s passing. He was one of my favorite teachers at Enka – his passion and love of history was infectious and made his class one of the most enjoyable I had during high school. Not only was he an inspiring teacher, I considered him a good friend as well. He was certainly one of the greats and will be missed.
I am so heartbroken and can only imagine your pain.
Tom was my hero !
You are in my thoughts daily.
Without a doubt, Mr. Chapman was one of the best teachers I had the opportunity to learn from. His courses actually inspired me to major in History. A great teacher and a great person, he will be sorely missed.
Mr. Chapman was one of the finest and most memorable educators in my life. His history class was informative, educational, and, most of all fun. He not only challenged us, he made me truly want to do my best work. Godspeed, sir, to your well earned rest.