Harold Donald Chapman

Mr. Harold Donald Chapman, 78, passed away Friday February 16, 2024. He was born March 30, 1945 in a Belfry Coal Camp in Pike County Kentucky to the late Frank and Ruth Chapman. Those who knew Harold, knew him affectionately as Donnie. Donnie’s life carried him through the hollers of eastern Kentucky and West Virginia and eventually landing him in King, North Carolina with his Uncle and Aunt, Wallace and Martha Chapman. Most of his early childhood was spent in King, North Carolina attending school and working odd jobs. Upon completion of High School, Donnie enlisted in the US Army. It was during his time in the military that he met the love of his life, Hong. They married on July 4, 1966 thus starting the beginning of a lifelong love story. In 1968 they added to their family a daughter, Christine and in 1970 another little girl arrived on the scene, Angie. For many years he continued to travel the world to support his international business interests. During this time, Donnie and his cousin, Rene Chapman ,ran a successful Plumbing and Roofing business for 30 years. Additionally he moved up the ranks in the United States Postal Service, ultimately ending his career as Postmaster, retiring from civil service after 32 years. Donnie never truly retired, as he continued to explore other interests which included a 25 year stint with the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Southern Section as well as becoming a substitute teacher in 2002 for the Stokes and Forsyth County School Systems. In the midst of being a husband, father and focusing on his fulltime career, he continued his pursuit of academics. His greatest academic achievement was at the age of 58, when he graduated from the Cambridge University program with a degree in International English Teaching where he attended the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology of Australia which had a satellite campus in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.  Donnie pursued this dream to continue his personal philanthropy of providing free English lessons to those Vietnamese school aged children who could not afford to attend school. Donnie met with much adversity in his life, and even up until the end when one would think that dementia would rob him of his memories, what prevailed is love. Donnie is survived by his wife Hong, their two daughters and their families; Christine, Angie (Paul Iddings), as well as one grandson Tucker Oakley. Brother Ed Chapman and his wife Bonnie, Sister Elizbeth Chapman Garner and her children Jason (Kelly) and their four children: Chelsea, Hayley, Jason and Andrew. Lisa (Scott) and their children:  Kurtis and Zachary. His sister in law Ruby Chapman and her children: James, Joanne, Cindy, Kelly Ray and Janet. Niece Linda and her daughter Becky. Nephew Ronnie Junior. Niece Cathy(Andy) and their children Jackie and Kristy. Donnie also is survived  by his first cousins : Barbara Gardner and her two sons Matthew (Kim) , David (Annette) and their children. Ted Chapman (Bonnie) and their son, Garrett (Annie) and their three sons Clay (Meredith), Cole and Connor. Rene Chapman (Brenda) and their three children Joe (Karen), and Renee (James) and their 2 children Josh and Jessica ,Nicole (Tim) and their 3 children Ashley, Magen, and Caleb. He is preceded in death by father Frank Chapman and wife Daisy Chapman as well as his mother Ruth Chapman; sister Peggy Chapman Thompson, brother Kelly David Chapman , sister Gaynell Chapman Thacker, and brother Charles Ray Chapman; Uncle Wallace and Aunt Martha Chapman. A Celebration of Life with Military Honors will be conducted at Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home located at 305 Bethania Rural Hall Road in Rural Hall, North Carolina at 2:00pm Saturday February 24, 2024, with brother Greg Hall officiating.  The family will receive friends immediately following the service