Ryan Eugene Chappell

Ryan Eugene Chappell

On March 11th, 2021, Ryan E. Chappell passed peacefully in his home in Monroe, Louisiana, at the full age of 62. He was born in Monroe on August 30th, 1958 to mother Elouise and father William Chappell and was raised in a wonderful home surrounded by devoted family who provided a solid foundation that would create the great man he would become. At an early age, Elouise would pass untimely; however, Bill would remarry Sandra Beach Chappell, who would become Ryan’s loving mother and an integral part in all of his life.

He graduated from Caldwell Parish High School in 1976 and attended Northeast Louisiana University (now University of Louisiana in Monroe) where he graduated with a degree in accounting along with a master’s degree in business administration.

As an undergrad, he met his lifetime love, Susan Elizabeth McGraw Chappell, and they wed on January 2nd, 1982. For the next forty years, their love for each other and those in their life would be apparent to any who knew them. They were blessed with three children, Neil Ryan, Sarah Margret, and Rachel Lauren; all of whom adored and appreciated his love for them and the lessons he bestowed.

Early on, it was easily apparent that Ryan was meant to help people. He would wake up each day searching out someone in need. He collected friends as naturally as breathing, and would be able to bridge these connections literally across the world, enriching countless lives along the way. Incredibly, he never thought about his gains or profits, his only joy was in seeing others be successful. He was truly humility personified.

Not only was Ryan a faithful servant but he was a tenacious and brave fighter. In October 2006 Ryan was diagnosed with leukemia. For fifteen years he fought with strength and grace, ultimately being cured with a stem cell transplant in 2016. Throughout his journey, he was constantly laughing, reading, moving and engaging his care team, bringing his light and energy into everyone who cared for him. He was an example of how faith and hope can bring about miracles, and he treated his faith and cancer as opportunities to reach out to others who needed someone who was there. There are no words to express the gratitude we feel towards MD Anderson for these last fifteen years. We are further indebted to Pilots for Patients and his local medical friends here in Monroe.

His hobbies included woodworking, cooking, travelling, music, writing, family, and flying. He was at his happiest when he was out on the family property, feeling, hearing, and smelling the cool breeze through the trees with his friends.

He is preceded in death by Elouise Chappell and William Chappell. He is survived by his mother Sandra Chappell and his loving and devoted wife Susan, and his three children and their spouses: Neil and Ashley Chappell of Baton Rouge, LA, Sarah and Lael Hubbard of Austin, TX, and Rachel and Jordan Chauvin of Baton Rouge, LA. He also was blessed and thrilled to know three grandchildren including Ashley and Neil’s daughters Wilder and Scarlet and Sarah and Lael’s son Luca.

Visitation will be at 9 AM on Saturday, March 20th, 2021 and will be followed by a mass at 10 AM at Jesus the Good Shepherd in Monroe, Louisiana.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either MD Anderson research or Pilots for Patients.

MD Anderson
https://gifts.mdanderson.org/Default.aspx?tsid=10503&noamt=true&chosen=100&intcmpid=mdaccorg_donate

Pilots for Patients:
https://www.pilotsforpatients.org/default.asp
Or mailed donations to Pilots for Patients 3127 Mercedes Drive, Monroe, LA 71201.