Obituary: Joan C. Chapman, 92, Hood River

Joan C. Chapman, a lifelong Hood River, Oregon, resident, passed away peacefully on October 30th, 2026, at age 92, lovingly surrounded by her family.

Joan Clyde Johnson entered the world on June 8th, 1934, in Hood River, Oregon, as the only child of William & Vera Johnson. She spent her childhood in the small town of Odell in Hood River County, graduating from Wy'East High School in 1952. Throughout her life, she spent some time in Aloha, Oregon, and Beaverton, Oregon.

While at a family picnic while Joan was still in high school, Joan’s Aunt Glendella introduced Joan to the love of her life, Clyde Chapman. He had graduated high school the year prior and had recently enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Clyde married Joan upon his return from boot camp on March 30th, 1952. During Clyde’s military service, the couple was stationed in both Bremerton, Washington, and San Diego, California. As military duty called, Clyde was deployed to Japan and Korea during the Korean War shortly after welcoming their first son, Steve, in 1953. The war ended, and Clyde honorably exited the military in 1955.

Joan & Clyde were blessed with another son, Kevin, in 1959. The young family settled permanently in the Hood River Valley. In addition to her roles as wife and mother, Joan worked full time for US. Bank and Hershner & Bell Insurance Agency, from which she eventually retired. During their retirement, Joan and Clyde traveled extensively in their various RVs; their favorite trip centered around the two seasons they spent as Yellowstone National Park employees.

Eventually longing for home and family, they returned to the Hood River Valley and downsized to a smaller home. They happily enjoyed their retired life together until Clyde’s unexpected passing in 2008 following 56 years of marriage. As a widow, Joan remained independently in her home for many years until 2025, when she agreed it was time to move in with her son Kevin and his family in Parkdale, Oregon. She spent her final days in Parkdale enjoying a peaceful life on the deck, soaking in beautiful views of the Upper Valley and Mt. Hood while in the constant presence of her loved ones.

As a child and a woman, Joan had always been headstrong and independent. In addition to her long working career, she enjoyed reading, crafting, gardening, baking, camping, and traveling. Joan LOVED driving her sleek, powerful cars and was often seen jetting around to various appointments, social engagements, and taking joy rides around the Valley. Her greatest passion, however, was spending time with her family and friends. As a big-hearted, conservative woman, she spent significant time and energy serving the Lord with her cherished group of church gals, who called themselves the “Happy Hands”. Together they crafted, quilted, baked, wrapped and delivered items to those in need. To know Joan was to know a truly beautiful woman inside and out, with a legendary smile that lit up every room she entered. She was also brutally honest, mischievously humorous, and epically stubborn! Her greatest pride was her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Joan led a long and fulfilling life and left us very blessed to have enjoyed her as long as we did. She was dearly loved and will be forever missed.

Joan is preceded in death by her parents William and Vera, her husband Clyde, her brother-in-law Don, her Aunt Glendella Jones, Aunt Goldie, and others of her generation.

Joan is survived by her sons Steve Chapman and wife Zoe of Vancouver, Washington; Kevin Chapman and wife Pamela of Parkdale, Oregon, former daughter-in-law Mary Chapman of Hillsboro, Oregon, 5 grandchildren; Shane, Melinda, Angie, Brittany and Joshua, 14 great-grandchildren; Garrett, Haley, Hannah, Madelyn, Brynn, Brooke, Samantha, Melyssa, James, Lacayla, Alyssa, Allysandra, Anthony and Johnathan, and her first great-great grandchild Arrabella (whom we were blessed for her to meet just before her passing), along with her many extended family members and her wide circle of friends.

A time to celebrate Joan’s life is planned for 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 14th, 2026, at Anderson's Tribute Center • 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Graveside Rites will follow at the Pine Grove Butte Cemetery of Hood River, Oregon.

Please visit our website to view and print Joan’s obituary and sign her guest book for family: www.andersonstributecenter.com