Owen Chapman, October 24, 1924 — March 20, 2019

Owen Chapman October 24, 1924 – March 20, 2019 Share this obituary Send Sympathy Gifts Sign Guestbook| Send Sympathy Card Owen Chapman, 94, of Russellville, joined his heavenly father on March 20, 2019, after passing away at home with his family. Owen graduated from Russellville High School, where he was an all-state football player and was elected to the Athletic Hall of Fame. He played in the 1940 game dedicating the opening of Rhea Stadium.

In 2017, Owen, along with his brother, Homer, was named one of the 50 greatest Panther football players since 1935. He also graduated from Western Kentucky University, where he captained the university’s first golf team; in 1988, he was named to the All-Time, All-OVC Golf Team. Owen’s senior year of high school was interrupted by World War II.

He was part of an amphibious force that landed on Omaha Beach with the first wave during D-Day, June 6, 1944, serving as a gunner on a converted LCT that provided support for the invasion forces. In a 2015 interview, he recalled the harrowing experience of being bombed near the Normandy beaches for 24 consecutive nights. His ship later provided convoy support in the Irish Sea.

After completing his military service, Owen worked as a golf equipment salesman for Wilson Sporting Goods and the Ben Hogan Company in Mississippi and Louisiana. He later became active in real estate, developing the Chapman Subdivision in Russellville. Owen remained a passionate golfer throughout his life and won many tournaments and club championships during his distinguished golfing career.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Boyd and Lucy Norris Chapman of Russellville, his brothers, Homer Chapman and Boyd Chapman, Jr., both of Russellville, and his sister, Augusta Chapman Crumbaugh (Frankfort). He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Kay Griffith Chapman, his daughter, Lee Barclay McCombs (Huntsville, AL), and his nephews, Lloyd Norris Chapman (Ephrata, PA), Thomas Lauren (Tommy) Crumbaugh (Chapel Hill, NC), and William O. (Bill) Crumbaugh (Frankfort). Visitation is from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 24th, at Young Funeral Home, 1600 Nashville Road, Russellville, KY.

The memorial service, with military honors, will be held at the funeral home immediately following visitation. The family wishes that memorial contributions be made either to the First Baptist Church, 277 S Main St, Russellville, KY 42276 or Hospice of Southern KY, 5872 Scottsville Rd, Bowling Green, KY 42104.

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