Joseph Fleming "Joe" Chapman, III (1938 – 2016)

Joseph Fleming "Joe" Chapman, III of Panama City, Florida, died on Sunday, December 11, 2016, surrounded by his family.  He was 78.

Joe was born August 4, 1938 to Joseph Fleming Chapman, Jr. and Gladys Alford Chapman.

Joe was raised in a household that believed the greatest personal satisfaction came from public service and the ability to help others. His mother loved children, had a deep passion for education, and a selfless desire to help those that were less fortunate.  After retiring from a career in education his mother served for more than thirty years as the Bay County Supervisor of Elections.  Joe watched his mother's insurmountable passion and dedication to her work; Gladys Chapman was a fighter. With such a strong role model to follow, Joe was destined for success.

Joe graduated from Bay High School in 1956 where he was Senior Class President.  Following high school he attended the University of Florida, where he was President of the Freshman Class, President of Sigma Chi Fraternity, a member of the Honor Court and Florida Blue Key.  He went on to attend the University of Florida College of Law where he received his Juris Doctorate in Law and Political Science in 1963.   Following his graduation, Joe moved to Tallahassee, Florida and served as the youngest Chief General Counsel for Florida Governor, Haydon Burns, as well as Chief Counsel for the State Road Board.

During his time as the Governor's General Counsel, Joe was appointed by Governor Burns as special liaison to Walt Disney and the Disney Company.  Joe was instrumental in bringing Walt and Roy Disney to Florida which ultimately led to the creation of what is now known as Walt Disney World.

Returning to Panama City in 1967, Joe entered the practice of law with Whitey Urquhart and also successfully served two terms in the Florida Legislature.

In 1968, Joe started Royal American, a multi-family housing development company in Florida.  His mission was to develop quality affordable housing for those less fortunate.  In 1972, Joe left political office and directed all his time and efforts to the growth of Royal American.  Since 1972, Royal American has developed, built and managed thousands of multi-family apartment units primarily in the Southeastern United States.  Currently Royal American employs over 1,300 people and manages over 20,000 units throughout the United States.

Inspired by one of his favorite movies, It's a Wonderful Life, and his frustration with banks, in August of 1983, Peoples First Financial Savings and Loan Association was born. Peoples First grew to over 30 branches throughout North and Central Florida and nearly two billion dollars in assets.  Peoples First funded thousands of businesses and helped with the dream of home ownership for hundreds of thousands of Floridians.

Joe cared deeply about those less fortunate resulting in his lifetime commitment to the support of many local civic and charitable organizations.  He was particularly passionate about children and education.  This passion led to his commitment to the Boys & Girls Club and Early Education and Care.  Joe also was instrumental in establishing Bay Education Foundation which through the years has funded hundreds of college scholarships for local students.  Joe was also a Founding Director of Bay County Council on Aging.  He was recognized for his commitment to children as recipient of the Outstanding Continuing Service to Florida's Children Award in 1999.

Joe spent countless hours and many years serving Bay Medical Center.  From 1978-1999 Joe served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Bay Medical for many of those years.

Joe had a strong commitment to politics and government which culminated in relationships with some of our nation's greatest leaders.  President Jimmy Carter, President Bill Clinton, Vice President Joe Biden, Senator John Glenn, Representative Richard Gephardt, Senator Bob Graham, Senator Bill Nelson, Governor Lawton Chiles, Governor Reubin Askew and many others called Joe Chapman a friend.

Joe was elected to the Board of the Florida Council of 100 in 1989.  He was a Lauren Merriam Award Recipient and Chiles Advocacy Award Recipient.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents.  He is survived by his wife, Jeannette; his daughter, Mary Marie Clemo, and husband, Scott Clemo; his sons, Joey Chapman, and wife, Pamm; Kristian Chapman, and former wife, Stacie; and David Chapman, and wife, Kelli.  He is also survived by his grandchildren, Si Clemo, Rose Clemo, Sunny Clemo, Cubby Clemo, Joseph Chapman, Nathan Chapman, Elizabeth Chapman, Gabrielle Chapman, Kasey Chapman, David Chapman, Mac Chapman and Jake Chapman, and great-grandson, Campbell Clemo.

The family will receive friends at Wilson Funeral Home on Thursday from 4:30 – 7:00 p.m.  Funeral services will be held on Friday at 2:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Panama City.

Active pallbearers will be his grandchildren.  Honorary pallbearers will be Steve Wilson, Bill Holland, Ted Haney, Tommy Cooley, Jimmy Barr, Steve Bodzin, D. A. "Bubby" Lewis, Robert Henry, John Lewis, Laura Pippin, Diane Stewart, Jim Thomas, the Bay High Class of 1956 and the employees of Peoples First and Royal American.

Those desiring may make memorial donations to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bay County, P. O. Box 914, Panama City, FL 32402.

The family would like to thank Covenant Hospice, as well as, Joe's caregivers, Sauvry Young, Ann Turcotte, Aida Peel, and extends a heartfelt thank you to Sharon Holland for her dedication and compassion in caring for Joe in his final years.