James Gregory Chapman's Obituary
James Chapman
November 9, 1992 - May 23, 2023
A fragile and beautiful soul is now at peace. Having fought the demon of addiction for his entire adult life, James Chapman was received into the loving arms of our Father in Heaven on Tuesday morning, May 23. The gift in losing his presence on earth is knowing he is now perfectly healed, whole and new. No more fear. No more pain. No more cravings. No more uncertainty.
Beloved child of Julie Thomas Wilmot, and adored brother of Jordan Chapman, we will remember him as he was before the time of darkness cloaked him in suffocating pain and struggle. All can rejoice in knowing this precious, valued child of God is carefree, laughing, dancing, singing, and celebrating the victory we have in Christ. Now cloaked in light and love, and surrounded by all things beautiful, the glory of eternal life is his.
The journey of discovering himself and in searching for the answers to his constant confusion, in recent years James believed transitioning to female might be the answer to all of the inner conflict. We hoped it would be, but there was no simple solution to turning life around for him. His mother and brother loved him unconditionally. We supported the decision and loved the heart, soul, and compassion of this beautiful individual.
Whether remembering James as male or female (Rayne), friends are encouraged to deeply value and appreciate all he offered them in loyalty, love, and friendship. This delightful child of God loved so many things, including friends, music, theatre, performance, singing in the car, playing the guitar, being silly, time at Seaside, snow-covered mountains in Colorado, skateboarding, playing cards and fishing with his Gah-Gah, playfully trying to get under his brothers’ skin, listening to Jordan’s coveted collection of music, and helping others (when he couldn’t even help himself.) Most of all, he loved his mother and big brother with every ounce of his being!
Curious, to a fault, James will be remembered as playful, loving, lovable, adorable, goofy, intelligent, clumsy, funny, talented, affectionate, beautiful inside and out. Always considerate and overflowing with compassion, he always reached out to embrace the underdog. A parents’ greatest wish is for their children to be of good
character, thoughtful, kind, and loving. James was hugely successful in fulfilling this wish.
He is survived by those who unconditionally loved him, including his mother, brother, stepfather Phil Wilmot, stepsister Sierra Dwight and husband Matthew, and stepbrother Austin Wilmot. Those also include his aunt and uncle, Sherry and Robert Thomas, and his cousins Alecia Hieb and Randi Thomas. James’ father, Greg Chapman, also survives him.
James will be laid to rest next to his beloved grandfather, James W. Thomas (his namesake,) at Restland Memorial Park in Dallas, Texas, at Mirror Lake. A private family service of inurnment will be held in the near future. The family wishes to thank everyone who has loved, prayed, and supported us through this difficult time.
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