James Chapin

POWELLS CROSSROADS — James Ralph Chapin, 79, went home to be with the Lord on March 12, 2017, at his home surrounded by his wife and children. He was born Jan. 31, 1938, in Chattanooga to the late G. F. and Mary Chapin. A U.S. veteran, he served first in the Navy and then in Army Intelligence, from 1957 to 1977. Upon retiring from the Army, he held numerous positions during his lifetime, but was probably most well-known for the time he spent as a Marion County law enforcement officer and investigator, a math teacher who taught at South Pittsburg, Jasper, and Whitwell schools, and most recently as Mayor of Powells Crossroads. Ralph attended Sulphur Springs United Methodist Church. A 1956 graduate of Whitwell High School, he held a Bachelor’s of Science degree in criminal justice from the University of Maryland and an Associate’s Degree in nuclear engineering from Chattanooga State. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren participate in athletic events and performance arts. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his beloved son, Tim Chapin and sister-in-law, Reba Chapin. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Linda, of 58 years; his daughters, Lisa (Kent) Roberson, of Pikeville and Laura (David) Smith, of Powells Crossroads; and his son, Paul (Jamie) Chapin, of Powells Crossroads; brothers, Henry (Gloria) Chapin, of Sherill’s Ford, N.C., and Bob Chapin, of Chattanooga; brother-in-law, Tommy (Gail) Richards, of Powells Crossroads; grandchildren, Jordan Carroll, Tony (Jessica) Darby, Stacy Darby, Summer Chapin, Cody Smith, Allison Chapin, Ricky Chapin, Devin Smith, and Nicholas Chapin; great-grandchildren, Corey and Hunter Locklair, Bailey Carroll, and Peyton and Paxton Darby; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. A service to celebrate Ralph’s life was held on Tuesday, March 14, 2017, at 11 a.m. CDT at Sulphur Springs United Methodist Church in Powells Crossroads with Joe Hedrick officiating. Burial with military honors by the Charlie Company 203 Honor Guard followed at the Chattanooga National Cemetery. Current and retired members of the Chattanooga Police Department, Danny Hill, Brian Cotter, Tim Carroll, Danny Jones, Gregg Bowman and Randy Dunn, served as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Whitwell Schools Foundation, 200 Tiger Trail, Whitwell, Tenn., 37397. The Chapin family is in the care of Reed Funeral Home of Whitwell, 423-658-5516, and condolences may be sent to www.reedfamilyfh.com.