Paul Thomas Chapman Jr.

Paul Thomas Chapman Jr. of Odenton, Maryland passed away on July 16, 2020 at the young age of 36 in a motor vehicle accident. Paul Jr. was born on May 20, 1984 to Paul Thomas Chapman Sr. and Deirdre Marie Chapman. Paul is a cherished and wonderful father to his beloved daughter, Sophia Faith Chapman, born on December 13, 2006. He is survived by his father and mother, brother Matthew Briggs, sisters Jillian and Sherry Chapman, brother-in-law, aunts, uncles, many cousins, nephews, niece, and great-nephew.  He was a 2002 graduate of South River High School, a skillful carpenter by trade, and above all else a beloved son, father, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend.

Paul‘s greatest joys were found in his daughter’s laughter, affection, and accomplishments. He loved her fiercely as a new father, as she grew into a “chunkin” toddler, and then into a beautiful young woman. They found so many ways to spend special time together, skiing double black diamonds, playing in the ocean, and running marathons. In the eyes of his daughter, Paul was always the coolest Dad in the world, and the mutual pride they had for one another was inspiring to everyone around them. Paul loved to volunteer at her school and to be a part of the many friendships she made there.  He worked the obstacle course for Sophia’s field days and chaperoned her field trips, and loved to treat her and her friends to movies, nice dinners, and ice cream.

Paul Jr. took so much joy in his work. As a craftsman, Paul created with his glowing imagination, executed with his ambitious heart, and built with his skilled hands. He loved to fix and build things and everything he built was done with the intention to share. Paul’s work lives in his home, his parents home, and countless others. He glowed with good nature, kindness, and honesty. Babies and little kids were always smiling at Paul when he was in the room.  

He loved movies, he loved to dance, float down the South Branch of the Potomac in West Virginia, play board games & video games, pool, loved to go out on the boat, and go snowboarding. But most of all, his soul was drawn to live music. He was passionate about sharing concerts, live performances, and his favorite recordings with family and friends. Paul used music, live music in particular, as one of the many “tools in his tool belt”, to connect people to one another. Paul forged instantaneous connections because he embodied goodwill, trustworthiness, and good intentions.  Paul’s daughter Sophia, holds close memories of her darling late father as she grows and remembers the innumerable acts of kindness he committed in life.

In life and afterlife, Paul is a cultivator of family. Having been born into the large Casey family of Bowie, Maryland headed by the late Eugene & Eileen Casey, Pauly carried with him a deep understanding of the blessings he was given by God. He felt so much gratitude for the treasure that is family, and he spent his life working vigorously to share that familial sentiment with the world.  He was motivated by that gratitude to pay forward the love he gave and received from the Casey Clan. He walked through this life with an attitude, simply described as “the more, the merrier”.

His loved ones use words like root, gravity, center, glue, and trunk to describe how central Paul is to the network of friends and family he built over his lifetime.  Described by his mother and father as his special “talent”, Paul Jr. was known for his profound ability to bring diverse people together.  Paul had a giving and generous heart that he wore on his sleeve.  An outstretched hand, a seat offered, “hey man, I made you plate”, “I took care of it for you”, “I already did it”, and “I got you something”, were the words and actions he lived by.  He used his daily actions, and constantly said, “I love you” to ensure his family and friends knew and felt his affection. Paul is so special to so many, because he made everyone feel loved with his giving and honest intentions.

We commemorate Paul with fondness as the cultivator, the fortifier, the builder, the encourager, and the one who inspires gratitude for family. In death and eternal life with Christ Our Lord, Paul’s awe-inspiring memory will remain in the hearts of all who knew him.

"Spliggin"

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Sophia's education fund. You can donate at any Navy Federal Credit Union in her name, using access code 14534624. A memorial donation website is also available for convenience here:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/sophia-chapman-college-fund?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1