John L. Chapin

John L. Chapin, M.D., was born May 28, 1931 in Little Rock, Arkansas, the son of Dr. Chester Clair Chapin and Mary Beth Hunter. He attended Little Rock public schools until the 9th grade, and then attended Sewanee Military Academy in Sewanee, Tennessee, from which he graduated in 1949. He attended Vanderbilt University for a pre-med course for three years, and then entered the University of Arkansas Medical School in 1952 and graduated with his M.D. degree in 1956. He interned at the District of Columbia Hospital in Washington, D.C. He was then a resident in psychiatry at Sepulveda Hospital in Sepulveda, California and U.C.L.A. in Los Angeles, California. He then returned to the Veterans Administration Hospital in North Little Rock (Fort Roots) where he practiced psychiatry and neurology and research until 1982. He was a member of NARFE (National Association of Retired Federal Employees), and served as treasurer for a number of years. His first marriage was to Barbara Walton of North Little Rock in 1963. His second marriage was in 1988 to Loula Bernice Shelby of Vilonia; they would have been married 25 years this September 25, 2013. He and Bernice retired to Conway, Arkansas where they raised animals and grew a garden. John was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Conway. John is survived by his wife, Bernice and his daughter, Marla Katherine "Kathy" Chapin of Tuckaesgee, North Carolina, and many cousins. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Thursday, at the funeral home. Graveside service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 12, 2013, at Rest Hills Memorial Park in North Little Rock. A memorial service celebrating Dr. Chapin's life will be 1 p.m. Friday, at First Presbyterian Church in Conway, with Pastor Jim Hays officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Griffin Leggett Conway. 501-327-5000. Memorials may be made to the building fund of First Presbyterian Church, 2400 Prince Street, Conway, Ark. 72034. Please share your memories and condolences with the family at www.griffinleggettconway.com.