Carl Keith Chapman

Carl was born on August 1, 1940, in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, to Boyd Truman and Winifred Ola (Shults) Chapman. He was the third of four children. Older sisters Mary and Lola, Carl, and younger brother Mike spent their childhood growing up in Pagoda and Craig.

Carl learned to work and serve others at a young age, helping Bud Stehle on his farm until he was old enough to drive, where he got his first “Real” job delivering candy and cigarettes for Walco Distributing.

In 1958, Carl began working for Elmer Hutton and eventually Ray Brennise, at the Craig Conoco Station, where his lifelong career of auto service and repair would be refined.

By 1959, Carl had met and married the love of his life and wife of 64 years, Katherine Fredonne Cathey. To that union, Carl “Kim”, “Carleen” Kay, and James Boyd “J.B.” were born.

In 1976, Carl and Ron Raschke then partnered in buying and operating the Valley Chevron station, until Carl wanted to “Early Retire” in 1984. That lasted almost one year, when too many of the customers that he’d served convinced him to open Chapman’s Automotive Service Center, which is still serving the Yampa Valley today.

Carl had a love for the outdoors and whether fishing, hunting, or caring for his livestock on the family ranch, he did it with the same passion and zeal that he had for his family, friends, and all of people that he was blessed to be able to provide a lifetime of automotive service to.

Carl also valued working as hard for his community as he did for himself, serving on The Craig Rural Fire Department as Firefighter, Chief, Ambulance Operator, and as a Member of the Fire Board, spanning 33 years.

He was a board member for the Craig Chamber of Commerce, instrumental in providing a home for the Chamber and The Sportsman’s Information Center with the Colorado Division of Wildlife in the 1980’s - 1990’s. He loved encouraging business growth and encouraging people to visit the area that he was proud to be a product of.

Carl was very patriotic and proud to be a City Councilman in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s; Serving with a great team of business and community leaders, along with so many of what he called “the best city employees you could ask for.”

Carl valued the work of The Lions Club International and had many fond memories serving with the other members on the Lions Club Food Trailer, raising money to help others.

He was also a member of the Craig 1st Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, where he found his spiritual growth.

Carl is survived by his wife, Fredonne. Children, Kim (Conna) of Monroe, UT; Carleen (Pete) of Craig, and J.B. (Paula) also of Craig. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. As well as his brother Mike (Sharon), Brother-in-law Dean (Maggie) Cathey and sister-in-law Carolyn (Dean) Eaton, along with many nieces, nephews, and their families.

Carl was preceded in death by his father Boyd, mother Winnie (Grannie), sisters Mary and Lola, niece Janine Stehle-Doehling, nephew David Cathey, great granddaughter Kwynn Allen, and in-laws Carroll and Betty Cathey.

Carl’s Celebration of Life Services are being held on March 1, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Craig.

Due to Carl’s love for youth and American agriculture, the family would encourage that any memorial donations go to the Moffat County 4-H and/or Moffat County FFA Programs.