Elton Ray Chapin

Elton Ray Chapin, age 95, passed away at his home in Quinlan, Texas, May 29, 2025.

Elton was born at home in Quinlan, Texas on April 9, 1930, at 5 am on a Wednesday morning to parents O. Z. Chapin & Opal (Howard) Chapin, the first of six children to this marriage union. They were a hard-working farming family, Greenville being the cotton growing capital of the world.

Mr. Chapin married Ms. Maurine Price in 1978. No children were born to this union.

He is preceded in death by his wife; both of his parents; three brothers: Willie D. Chapin, Parvin E. Chapin, and Marvin Chapin; one sister, Elsie L. Chapin-Hill; paternal grandparents, Claude Marvin Chapin and Dovie Pearl (Thornberry) Chapin; and maternal grandparents, James Richard Howard and Julia Bippa Maude (Parrot) Howard.

Elton was a very active, busy man throughout his long, productive life, serving in civic organizations and military duty. Elton attended Quinlan ISD. He later enlisted in the National Guard of Texas and National Guard of the United States. He served honorably and with distinction from 1948 to 1950, receiving an honorable discharge. Upon returning to civilian life, he moved to Arizona for a short time to work. He was awarded an official membership in the American Legion in gratitude for his war-time service by the congress of the United States.

Elton displayed abilities of ingenuity and great knowledge as a handyman, mechanic, carpenter, gardener, builder, farmer, and general laborer. Definitely not afraid of hard work, he was always getting the job done.

Elton was a farmer by trade during much of his working career. He also worked successfully for Intercontinental Manufacturing Co. in Garland, Texas for several years. He worked for the City of Quinlan Fire Department as well, volunteering to help build a fire truck along with a group of other like-minded fireman, benefitting the city for fire safety.

Elton was a spiritual man, accepting Christ early on in his life. He embodied a sweet, gentle spirit; kindness and meekness was his way of life. Blessed are the meek; they shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5). His was a humble, quiet, sensitive, loving, and affectionate soul. He truly loved his family and his Lord Jesus. However, don’t be misled; Elton was not weak or timid. He was a strong man. He always had a twinkle in his beautiful blue, blue eyes.

He is survived by one sister, Joyce W. Powers and husband Paul of Farmersville, TX; a number of nieces and nephews, friends, and other family; and his longtime trusty friend and companion, his dog Page.

A graveside service for Mr. Chapin will be held at the IOOF Cemetery on the northeast side of Hwy 34 in Quinlan, Texas on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at 2:00 pm with Shannon Salsman officiating. A graveside viewing will take place at 1:00 pm at IOOF Cemetery.