Donald Kenneth Chapman, Sr. passed away quietly in the early morning of  Dec. 21, 2025.  Born in Baltimore, Maryland on Sept 12, 1928 to Charlotte (Pocock) and Kenneth L. Chapman, he lived the majority of his life in North Carolina.  At age 19, Don was sent home to die after being diagnosed with Addison's Disease, when treatment was still limited.  He spent the rest of his life proving to himself and others, that he wouldn't be limited by this disease.

Once he began to get his condition under control, Don enrolled at the University of NC (Chapel Hill) where in 1958 he obtained a degree in Pharmacy.  Just as he was beginning to get his career underway at Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC, he sustained major injuries due to an automobile accident.  One of the nurses treating him, Sue Denny, soon became his wife in 1960.  Together they had four children and spent 65 years by each other's side.

During Don's decades-long career he worked as an assistant pharmacist and interim head pharmacist at Baptist Hospital, Chief Pharmacist at Scotland Memorial Hospital in Laurinburg, NC, and Head Pharmacist at Rite Aid in Shallotte, NC.  While working (on call for many long nights), raising a family, and maintaining a late nineteenth century house in Laurinburg, he also largely single-handedly (but with significant free labor contributions from his kids) built a beach house at Holden Beach, NC.  The family spent decades of weekends and holidays in this home before Don and Sue relocated year-round to the mainland on the back side of Holden Beach, where they lived for 30 years.  He retired in 1998 and he and Sue began spending time nearly every year in northern Europe.

A life-long Episcopalian, Don was active at St. David's in Laurinburg as well as St. Philip's in Shallotte.  They relocated to Richmond Hill, Ga in 2015 where Don met his final church family at St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church.  The last years of his life were brightened by the friends he made there.

In addition to his parents, Don was predeceased by his son Donald K. Chapman, Jr., his brother Lee Chapman, and his stepmother Nancy.  He is survived by his wife Sue; his brother John (Jane) and sister Charlotte; his children Scott G. Chapman (Laura), Kristin Fulford (Edward), and Reid Chapman (Cathy); his grandchildren: Geoffrey (Melinda) Chapman and Wrenn Fulford; as well as great grandchildren Triston, Giuliana, Keira, Abigail, and Elijah.  Additionally, he leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews who cherish their memories of him.  Also surviving him is Rick Davis, an "adopted" son, whose friendship and love meant the world to him.  The family would like to thank the caregivers who helped ease his final months, especially Tina, Lisa, Buddie, Mari, Day, and Kathaleen.

The funeral will be held at St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church in Richmond Hill on Jan 3 at 3.