Thomas Ovie Chapman, of Osceola, Missouri, passed away May 10, 2025, surrounded by his beloved family.
Tom was born on November 2, 1949, to Carl and Evelyn Chapman in Humansville, Missouri. He grew up on the family farm, where he learned early what hard work really meant. He attended Rainey Grade School through fourth grade, then transferred to Osceola High School, where he stood out on the basketball court and in the FFA. He graduated Osceola High School in 1967.
Later that year, on December 28, 1967, he married his high school sweetheart, Connie Carriker. In 1969, he joined the National Guard and served for six years while continuing to run the family farm. They raised two children—Kevin, born in 1972, and Kim, born in 1978.
Tom farmed his entire life. He and Connie built a firewood business together, selling wood bundles in Kansas City and Tulsa. They delivered to a wood yard in Kansas City that supplied BBQ restaurants throughout the metro. They also catered to many residential wood customers in both Springfield and Kansas City. They raised thousands of laying hens and sold eggs to hatcheries—along with 500 guineas, better known around their place as the “damn guineas.” Together, he and Connie tended to a multi-acre garden, working side by side through it all. Tom milked cows, raised beef cattle, hogs, sheep and chickens, and raised butcher hogs for the family and community. There wasn’t an animal he couldn’t doctor back to health—he had a gift for healing, and the patience to match it.
Anyone and everyone who knew Tom will tell you: he was the hardest working man they ever met. He didn’t complain, didn’t cut corners, and didn’t slow down. He was a man of few words, but anything he said, you could put stock in. Day or night, his kitchen table was always open to grandkids, friends and family—for homework help, business talks or just to sit and visit.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Evelyn Chapman, and his brother, David Chapman.
He is survived by Connie, his wife of 57 years and puppy dog, Rascal; his son, Kevin (Carrie); his daughter, Kim (Steve); six grandchildren, Kyle (Mandy), Kollen (Jill), Kaylene (Robert), Hannah (Tyler), Sydney and Bailey; three step-grandchildren, Alexis, Megan and Derek; and five great-grandkids, Thomas, Olivia, Westin, Konnor and Kamden. He also leaves behind a wide circle of friends and family who will miss him more than words can say.
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