Gary Hardt Chappell, 74, of Tamps, FL, passed away on Tuesday, January 12, 2016, at Tampa General Hospital. He was born in Winona, MN, and moved from there to the Tampa Bay area in 1956. He attended Admiral Farragut Academy in St. Petersburg and the University of Alabama.
He served his country as a member of the United States Army in the early 1960’s and was stationed in Korea for almost sixteen months during his time in the service. At the end of his enlistment, he went to work in the sales department for the GraybaR Electrical Supply Company in Tampa, FL. He retired from there after over fifty years of service. At one point, the company awarded him the Star Spangled Button Award as the longest serving employee.
Gary was a football fanatic who loved following the University of Alabama and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was an avid golfer that started playing early in life and was also a very good bowler. His family indicated that he could be quite a character and he was always full of quips and quotes. Gary was an honest man who covered his heart of gold with a sarcastic exterior. He was loved by all. His favorite food was macaroni and cheese when made from an old family recipe. Gary’s grandfather once went hunting with Teddy Roosevelt.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dwight and Maxine Hardt Chappell and his son, Christopher. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; son, Gregory and his wife Moya (Deery) Chappell; brothers, P. Kim and Stephen Chappell; sister, Bonnie Dove; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
A Memorial Service with Military Honors has been scheduled for 3:00pm at Bay Pines National Cemetery in St. Petersburg, FL, on Tuesday, January 19, 2016. The cemetery is located at 10000 Bay Pines Boulevard, St. Petersburg, FL.
He will be interred at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL, at a later time.
With our deepest sympathy. He was a fine man & most worthy of this marvelous OBITUARY. Love & God Bless
REST IN PEACE dear Gary.
So sorry to hear this, Nancy and Gregory. Caren and I babysat for you when Christopher and Gregory were small. I had no idea you lost Christopher too. My heart goes out to you. Thinking of you during this difficult time. Sending love and prayers. -Elise
Thinking of you Nancy and Gregory, during what I know is a tough time. Uncle Gary will be sorely missed, and often remembered. Of course we always loved seeing him, but also love hearing stories of his youth from my mom. Fitting that Alabama would squeeze in one more national championship for him. I had just joined the bandwagon in his honor. Roll Tide. Love you all!
I was so sorry to hear about this; Uncle Gary will be missed by every single person who knew him. Please know that my thoughts are with you all, especially now and in the coming weeks. Sending love to all of you!
Feeling deep sadness. The Chappell and Harris’s arrived and were next door neighbors on Clearwater Beach within a few days of each other back in 1955. We enjoyed years of family fun – especially New Year’s Eve. I remember his attending Admiral Farragut and his Alabama ties. I have recently become a “snow bird” and had hoped to find Gary in the Tampa area. I hope to be able to attend the Memorial Service tomorrow and have an opportunity to see Nancy again and meet you, Gregory. My thoughts are with your entire family during these difficult days. Sally Harris
Nancy, don’t know if you remember me, but I worked with Gary at Graybar. Sorry to hear of his passing. I’ve been retired from Graybar for 20 years and haven’t heard much about Gary. I noticed his name in the paper. Sorry for your loss.
Deepest sympathies to the family. It was my pleasure to know & work with Gary at Graybar. Will miss seeing him at the Retirees Luncheon.
Our deepest sympathies in the loss of your father . May God bless you and comfort you in this time of lose. Our prayers are with you and your family.
NANCY & FAMILY….
So sorry to learn of Gary’s passing. He was a wonderful friend and working associate with my previous husband, Stan Hankins, who also passed back in 2001, at Graybar Electric. When our children were small
we shared some fun times too. It would be great to talk again after all these years if you wish to contact me on e mail. My condolences to you and family members.
Betty
I knew Gary ( almost 30 years )from working at Graybar and would get help from him about electrical equipment I didn’t know. He was a funny guy when you knew what buttons to push. I hope he got to enjoy Alabama’s last championship. Roll Tide!!
My condolences go out to Gary’s family and friends. I worked with Gary for 25 years at Graybar and can truly say that he was (one of a kind).It took Gary awhile before he would let you get close enough to him where he would consider you a friend. Over the last half of my career we formed that bond of friendship, mainly because Gary was a die hard Alabama fan and I was a die hard LSU fan. We had so many spirited conversations and gentle disagreements regarding our teams and passions for them that I will dearly miss having with him. It didn’t surprise me that Gary and BAMA got another National Championship right before his passing. RIP my friend until we meet again on that gridiron in the sky.
Bonnie, Kim, Steve and families I just found Gary’s obituary and want to offer your our prayers and condolences, even still it’s been several years since he passed. There are so many wonderful memories i have of our time spent at your home in Pleasant Valley…all the riding at the Saddle and Bridle…Annie Robinson later bought my horse Lesan..swimming at the WCC, Gin Rummy, root beer and orange floats we just charged to our parents’ account…your mother making Swedish pancakes on your birthday Bonnie, more fun times at the Heises…hunting butterflies and yes i still have the framed Luna moth that i captured on your garage doors under the light one night during a sleepover. And i still have the pretty shells you collected for me from Clearwater Beach. As we were younger i didn’t know Gary very well but i can see he became a very fine man and am thankful for his service to our country. Feel free to contact me via email, i would love to reconnect. God’s blessings to All. Mary Clare