Roll Call Tribute

Dennis Lee Chapman, Jr. 

August 24, 1944 - April 2, 2025 

Dennis Lee Chapman Jr., 80, of Georgetown, Texas went home to heaven peacefully on April 2, 2025.

Dennis was born August 24, 1944 in Burnet, Texas to Florence Roberta (Mason) Chapman and Dennis Lee Chapman, Sr. The oldest of six children, he attended school in Georgetown and graduated from Georgetown High School in 1962. Dennis worked his way through college, attending Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas and earning his Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Science from Texas A&M University in College Station in 1966. Later in 1974 he earned a Master of Science Teaching degree from Tarleton State.

After marrying the love of his life, Karol Gene Miller, on June 18, 1966, the couple moved to Jacksboro, Texas where Dennis taught Agricultural Science and Future Farmers of America (FFA) for twelve years and where they welcomed their two daughters, Amy and Audra. Dennis was a gifted and highly regarded teacher who took an interest in his underprivileged students doing what he could to encourage them and help their families. He spent many hours after school and on weekends helping them with their projects and livestock and taking them to judging and stock show competitions with some winning state FFA competitions. In 1978 Dennis and Karol decided to move home to Georgetown where he started his first two companies, Georgetown Grass and Lawn and Jiffy Mart Convenience stores with his brother, Bill Chapman.

As the Austin area economy grew, Dennis consolidated his business into Chapman Services. His company provided pest control, construction and landscaping services for many area businesses and developments including Sun City Georgetown where his crews constructed the Georgetown-Williamson County Veterans’ Memorial in 2003 and some of the various nature trails. The University of Mary Hardin Baylor’s baseball/softball complex is one of numerous athletic facilities that Dennis oversaw the construction and turf development of in the Central and South Texas area. Chapman Services also maintained the Dallas Cowboys season training grounds in Austin. After selling Chapman Services, Dennis continued raising cattle and investing in real estate through the rest of his life.

Dennis was active in his community serving as president of the Jacksboro Lion’s Club, as head deacon and on the finance committee at Main Street Baptist church, and as Vice President (1985) and Economic Development Director (1983-1985) of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce where he was also awarded Agriculturalist of the Year in 1997. He also enjoyed his work with the Williamson County Extension Service and as Director of the Williamson County Professional Grounds Maintenance Conference.

As a boy and young man, Dennis helped his father run sheep and cattle on ranches along the San Gabriel River and complete masonry work on numerous projects around Georgetown. In 1999, Dennis and Karol purchased and built a beautiful home on land in that area where they continued to ranch and share their love of the land with their friends and family.

His employees, friends, and family remember Dennis as a true cowboy who showed his love for the Lord through his roles as dad, grandad, uncle, brother, and mentor. He was known as a man of integrity and honor who made everyone he met feel important, heard and valued.

He is survived by his wife, Karol Gene (Miller) Chapman, daughters Amy Roberta Chapman and Audra Gene Tristan, son in law, David Tristan, grandson Clayton Andrews and wife Isabella, granddaughters Emma Andrews and Becca Hopkins, grandson Connor Tristan, sisters Mary Wehlmann and Grace Acuff, brothers Robin Chapman and Bill Chapman and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Tommy Chapman, and his grandson Jace Tristan.

Dennis’s Celebration of Life service will be held at Ramsey Funeral Home in Georgetown, Texas on April 16, 2025 at 11 a.m. with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Children At Heart Ministries, Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, Helping Hands of Georgetown, Inc. or the charity or ministry of your choice.