South Indian Cemetery

Pawnee, Pawnee County, Oklahoma

© Chapman-Black and Poteet Funeral Home

Submitted by: Terry Dudley

Charles Basil "Chipper" Chapman Jr

June 13, 1946 ~ July 30, 2021

Charles Basil “Chipper” Chapman Jr, son of Basil and Alma Rae (Keys) Chapman was born June 13, 1946 in Pawnee, Oklahoma and took his journey home on July 30, 2021 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Enrolled in the Pawnee Nation (Kitkahahki Band) and a descendant of the Buffalo Clan of the Otoe tribe, his paternal grandparents were Henry and May (Riding In) Chapman, his maternal grandparents were Walter James “Dodo” and Juanita Nora (Shunatona) Keys.

Chipper graduated from Oklahoma Military Academy, Claremore, OK, in 1965. Enlisting in the US Air Force in 1966 and serving until 1970, he was stationed at Paine Field and served in Nha Trang, Viet Nam. Chipper followed a strong family tradition of service to country. Both grandfathers, Henry Chapman and Walter Keys served in WWI. His father Basil served in China-Burma-India in the Army Air Corps in WWII, and all of his Chapman Uncles served in the Korean War. His son, Tike Chapman, served two tours in Baghdad in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Chipper married Lori (Surridge) on April 23, 1994, in Claremore, Oklahoma. Their combined family joined together his eldest daughter, Marissa Lee Chapman Campbell; his son, Tike Danson Chapman; daughter, AtiraVonne Chapman; step son, Justin Ivan Surridge; and daughter, Miranda Jane Due. His love for them was evident in the way he lit up when he talked about his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed spending his time with family, especially those who called him “Uppit”.

Chipper attended Bacone College and Northeastern State University. While in college, he was proud to have been involved in AIM. He retired from the US Postal Service after decades of service. He was an avid OU Softball and OU Football fan, and even bigger fan of the Pawnee Thundercats, the youth softball team he lovingly coached.

Chipper overcame many tragedies in his life, while maintaining 28 years of sobriety. With soft spoken warmth, he encouraged many as they faced their walk with sobriety.

Chipper was a humble and generous man, while serving as the President of the Pawnee Indian Veterans Organization (2018-2021), several times it was his generosity that personally provided the money to provide meals on behalf of the organization. In recent years, Chipper volunteered with the Pawnee Travelers organization.

Chipper was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Tike; daughter, Marissa and three grandchildren, William Lee, Maizy Maya and Lucas Wayne Campbell.

He is survived by his wife, Lori, of the home; son Justin Surridge, of Claremore; daughter, Atira Chapman and partner Ashley Ignacio of Tulsa; and daughter, Miranda Due of Tulsa; his brother, Richard Chapman of Yale; his two sisters, Liana and husband Richard Teter of Yale, and Walthena and husband Marvin Thurman of Shawnee; his grandsons, Jeremiah and Isaiah Chapman of Tulsa, OK; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.