Adrian Chapa Jr

Our much-loved father and grandfather, Adrian Chapa Jr. passed away peacefully on May 12, 2024. He was born January 25, 1943, in Realitos Tx. He was 81 years old.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife Elma L. Chapa; his parents, Adrian Chapa, Sr. and Mercedes Chapa; his sisters, Gloria Morgan, Beatriz Silva, Dalia Guerra; and brother Victor M. Chapa.

He is survived by his son Adrian (Hermelinda) Chapa III and daughter Marissa L. Chapa; his two cherished granddaughters, Arianna (Mason) Hellums and Alina I. Chapa; three sisters, Rosa (Santos) Ramirez, Sylvia Saenz, Mary Ann (Eddie) Gomez; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Adrian was a US Army veteran. After an honorable discharge from the Army, he continued his career in civil service serving as a firefighter with the NAS Corpus Christi Fire Department. In 1985, he moved his family to NAS Sigonella, Sicily, Italy for a 4-year duty assignment. He and Elma enjoyed it so much they moved back for another 4 years to continue the Italiano life. He retired from NAS Corpus Christi in 1993 as an Assistant Fire Chief. 

As a retiree, he loved sitting on his back porch at his childhood home in Realitos, Texas listening to music and admiring a hard day of working outdoors, all the while enjoying a cold beverage. Sometimes it was more than one. That’s what made him happy. He also enjoyed raising cattle and ranching with his family in Agua Nueva, Texas. But most of all, his wife, son, daughter, and granddaughters were what brought him the most joy.

Thank you to the staff at Elan Corpus Christi and Enhabit hospice. A special thank you to Ms. Irene Garcia for keeping him company and bringing him all his favorite snacks daily. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who will be missed. 

Visitation will be on Monday, May 20, 2024 from 5-7pm. The Rosary will be recited at 7pm. Funeral Mass will be at St. Peter, Prince of the Apostle Catholic Church on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at 11:30am. Graveside will follow at Coastal Bend Veterans Cemetery.