- Date Of Birth: October 28, 1929
- Date Of Death: January 18, 2022
- State: Texas
Ray Leon Chappelle Jr. was born on October 28, 1929, in Austin, TX, to Ray Leon Chappelle Sr and Anna Lee Yater Chappelle. Ray, better known as Poppy or R.B. to many, passed away at the age of 92 yrs old on January 18, 2022 at the William R Courtney Texas State Veterans Home in Temple, TX.
Ray Jr, as he was called as a young child, lived in Pearsall, TX before he and his family moved to Lubbock, TX in 1936. Ray Jr was the first son, and third child in his family of four children. Ray graduated from Lubbock High School in 1948 and then entered into Texas Tech College in the fall to study civil engineering. After deciding that was not his path, he joined the US Navy in 1950 during the Korean conflict.
He was honorably discharged, due to medical issues, in 1952. The following year he entered into the University of Texas. In 1955, Ray moved to Los Angeles and spent a year working for Ohio Oil Co. When he returned to Texas, he re-entered Texas Tech where he graduated with a BS in Geology in 1958; the same year he married the love of his life, Martha Mack, on October 25th. They began their married life in Rockport, TX and shortly after moved to Columbus, TX. In 1959, Ray & Martha moved to Houston where their one and only child was born on January 26, 1960, Mary Louise. Shortly after, Ray took a job with the Texas State Land Office in Austin where they lived until 1964.
The family then moved to Monahans, TX where Ray worked for Humble Oil Co for the next year. In 1965, the Chappelle family moved to Midland, TX and Ray went to work for Pure Oil Co, that was bought by Union Oil of California in 1966. He worked for Union Oil for a number of years, as well as other oil companies in the Midland area. Ray & Martha lived in Midland for over 40 years. Ray retired from the oil business in 1990 to pursue other business ventures of his own. During his working career, Ray was a member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, West Texas Geological Society, & the American Institute of Petroleum Geologists. He enjoyed his work and especially liked going on site to study geological samples first hand.
Ray was an active member of the Church of Christ, and served as a deacon for a number of years. He loved to work in the yard and was a proficient gardener. Ray also loved to travel, cook & bake, and was an outstanding candy maker. He enjoyed Genealogy as a hobby, and actually traced his mother’s family back to the Magna Carta! Ray was outgoing, known for his “big personality”, sense of humor, and being fast, efficient, and always on time. He was a generous care giver and took excellent care of his mother & aunt in their later years, as well as retiring early to assist his wife, Martha, who had health issues. Ray was also generous with his time & money concerning his family, friends, and just about anyone he came in contact with. Ray was a giver in every sense of the word.
In January of 2012, Ray had a significant stroke, so his daughter moved him to an assisted living facility in Temple, TX. A year later, after a critical fall, he finally landed in the Texas State Veterans Home where he was well cared for in his final years until his passing in 2022.
Ray is survived by his wife of 63 years, Martha Mack Chappelle, as well as his son-in-law & daughter, Bill & Louise Nabers, all of Belton, TX. Grandchildren Christopher & Haleigh Nabers, Suzannah Nabers, & Jessica Nabers. Great Granddaughter, Evelyn Hart Davis-Nabers. Brother and sister-in-law, Bill & Janice Chappelle. Brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Scott & Linda Mack. Cousins Janet Henderson & Hugh Chappelle, along with his wife Arva, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Ray was preceded in death by his sisters, Louise George and Jean Butler. Brother-in-laws, Jesse George and Jim Butler. His parents, Ray Leon Chappelle Sr. and Anna Lee Yater Chappelle. And by his beloved dog, Cookie.
