James Claude Chapman

March 16, 1931 – January 10, 2014

James C. Chapman, 82, of New Bern, NC died peacefully at his home in New Bern, NC on January 10, 2014. His loving family was by his side.

An engineer by trade, Mr. Chapman began his successful career as a cooperative education student at Chrysler Corporation, rising to the position of Manufacturing Engineering Manager at the Mound Road engine plant. From there he went to work for Rockwell International Corporation working in positions of Director of Manufacturing, Plant Manager of facilities in Marysville and Kenton, OH, and Director of Facilities at Automotive Operations in Troy, MI. At Outboard Marine Corporation in Waukegan, IL, Chapman held positions of Director, Vice President of Manufacturing, and ultimately President and Chief Executive Officer, retiring from that position in 1995. He was a Director on the boards of several organizations including University of Detroit Mercy, Outboard Marine Corporation, and Clark Equipment Company. He was reservist in the US Navy and was honorably discharged in 1954.

In addition to having a successful career in engineering and business, Mr. Chapman was an adventurer, philanthropist, “fixer”, and a truly humble and compassionate man. His achievements were many though seldom discussed with those around him. He was an avid fisherman and golfer, and a member of the River Bend Country Club in New Bern, NC. His other interests and hobbies included scuba diving, gem and mineral collecting, boating, and collecting carnival glass. He traveled the world with his wife, Elizabeth and especially enjoyed several trips to Africa in later years.

His civic involvement included the Knights of Columbus where he rose to Fourth Degree, the Illinois Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and the Waukegan/Lake County Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of St. Paul Roman Catholic Church in New Bern, NC. He was also a charitable supporter of Food for the Poor and the School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College, and found great joy in giving to those whom he loved and those in need.

He attended Tate High School in Cantonment Florida, and graduated with his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and master’s degree in business administration from the University of Detroit.

Family was of great importance and joy to Mr. Chapman. He was born in Detroit, MI, on March 16, 1931 to Claude Byron and Madolin Wehrstein Chapman. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Gladys Chapman Cain. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth Jane Chapman of New Bern, NC. They were married on May 1, 1954 and again on February 2, 1985. Also surviving are two daughters, Diane D. Chapman and her spouse, Hadley Misenheimer of Raleigh, NC and Donna Chapman McGinnis and her spouse, Mark McGinnis of Waukesha, WI; one sister, Lois Chapman Hinsch of Pensacola, FL; two grandchildren, Evan and Owen McGinnis of Waukesha, WI; and many nieces, nephews, friends and other loved ones.

The family will receive friends and family at Cotten Funeral Home at 2201 Neuse Blvd., New Bern, NC from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, January 14, 2014. The rosary service will begin at 6:00 pm

A funeral mass will be held at Saint Paul Catholic Church in New Bern, NC at 11:00 am on Wednesday, January 15, 2014.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made memory of James C. Chapman to: Food for the Poor at 6401 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek, FL 33073 (www.FoodForThePoor.org.)

Arrangements under the direction of Cotten Funeral Home, New Bern, NC.