Thomas John Chappell

Thomas John Chappell, 82, of Ottawa, KS passed away Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at Spring Hill Care & Rehabilitation, Spring Hill, KS, surrounded by his family.

He was born February 26, 1944 in Akron, OH, to Pearl Bruce of Cumberland County, TN, and adopted by Dwight R. Chappell and Marybelle Pfeiffer Nation Chappell. The family moved to Ottawa, KS, where Thomas would later graduate from Ottawa High School with the Class of 1962.  He then attended Independence Junior College before returning to Ottawa.

On August 25, 1963 Thomas was united in marriage to Marilyn Kay Robertson at the Grace Episcopal Church in Ottawa. They were lovingly married for sixty-three years, living in Boonville, MO, Lee’s Summit, MO, and Olathe, KS, moving back to Ottawa after retirement.

Thomas spent most of his professional life in sales. He sold cars and later in life golf carts, but most of his time was spent selling mobile homes. He also had a passion for broadcasting and spent several years working in radio at KOFO. 

He was a member of the Ottawa Jaycees, Ottawa Country Club, and in high school attended Interlochen Music Camp in Michigan, something he was also very proud of. He also attended the Grace Episcopal Church in Ottawa and later the First United Methodist Church, of Ottawa.

Thomas was a devoted father who loved doting on his grandchildren and celebrating their accomplishments.  He was also an avid classic car enthusiast, Kansas City Chiefs fan, and Kansas Jayhawks basketball fan.  He loved the music of his era, watching old gangster movies, and reading spy novels.

He enjoyed traveling with his wife Marilyn to locations around the world, including New York, Hawaii, Brazil, Germany, and China. He also loved spending time with family, attending concerts and car shows, and playing golf.   

In 2020, after searching for many years, he met and spoke with his younger half-brother Randall for the first time, and learned the identity of his birth mother, Pearl.  This discovery was deeply meaningful for him.

He was loved and will be profoundly missed by his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his adopted mother Marybelle (1998), his adopted father Dwight (1946), and his birth mother Pearl (2006).

Thomas is survived by his wife, Marilyn Chappell, of the home; two half-brothers, Randall Franks, Tunnel Hill, GA, and Jerry Robinson, Sr., Pensacola, FL;  two sons, Derek Chappell and his wife, Rhonda, Ottawa, Jason Chappell and his wife, Sue Han-Chappell, Brooklyn, NY; four granddaughters, Abby Hazen and her husband, Adam, Olathe, KS, Grace Chappell and her fiance, Holt McKenney, Kansas City, MO, Olivia Chappell, New Paltz, NY, and Naomi Chappell, Brooklyn, NY.

Graveside Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m., Monday May 4, 2026 at Highland Cemetery, Ottawa, KS. To celebrate Thomas’ life, a visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday, May 3, 2026 at Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, Ottawa, KS.  Memorial contributions may be made to Phoenix Hospice, Spring Hill Care & Rehab, or Franklin County Cancer Foundation and sent c/o Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, P.O. Box 14, Ottawa, KS 66067. Condolences may be sent to the family through www.lamb-roberts.com.

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