The Jay Chapman Memorial Fund
founded in memory and honor of my son
James Michael “Jay” Chapman
JCMF on Facebook
The biggest and best ever! Proceeds are shared with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and the Jay Chapman Scholarship at the University of West Georgia, now at the endowment level.
If you were unable to participate and would like to make a contribution to this fund, make checks payable to JCMF, and mail to Joe Chapman at the address below. All contributions are tax deductible.
1254 McAllistar Dr.
Locust Grove, GA 30248
Please feel free to share this page with anyone who knew Jay or who may be interested in our cause.
Deepest thanks,
Chapman Family and Friends
ABOUT JAY
Jay Chapman was born May 3rd, 1981. Growing up just south of Atlanta, Jay defined what an avid Atlanta sports fan was! He loved the Braves, Falcons, Hawks, and most importantly, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Jay was always a natural in whatever sport he decided to play… whether it was baseball, basketball, golf, and later flag football. He attended Fayette County High School where he excelled as a student athlete. While attending West Georgia, Jay became a focal point of the University’s intramural program excelling in everything from flag football, basketball, softball, and was even known to be an exceptional kayaker. Due to his excellence in athletics, Jay was a three-time intramural athlete of the year at the University. After college, Jay’s passion was teaching history and coaching. He coached softball, basketball, and baseball for South Cobb High School. Anyone who knew Jay knew how much he loved coaching and helping the adolescents that he taught and coached on a daily basis. On May 22nd, 2009, Jay died in an automobile accident. A fraternity brother was driving Jay’s truck and they were hit by a wrong way driver on the Interstate just outside of New Orleans. The driver was not seriously injured, but Jay was killed instantly. Jay was engaged to be married in less than 2 months, but was tragically taken from us before that part of his life could begin. Jay was an incredible person that made you smile and laugh and he lived life to its fullest. To know Jay was to love him…
I have seen your posts and the video several times, and I’m touched each time…I even love the music you chose…so like a young man who loved coaching and young people. You’ve seemed brave and strong, but I know the pain at the time and even now had to be devasting for you and Joe…love and peace to you always…
Thank you Linda. And thanks for bringing up the music. HEre ius a story: Sweet Child O Mine was Jay’s favorite song. We had it played at the memorial service also. I would have not been aware of that but his fiance, Katy Walker, knew it was his favorite so that is what it had to be. I remember someone on the church staff asking didn’t we want the “softer” Sheryl Crow version, absolutely not! I’m not sure that big Baptist church had ever rocked so loud as that Guns & Roses version. Also, at one point in the service, a bunch of Jay’s buddies cranked up and sang the Georgia Tech Hell of an Engineer song. When one of the ministers spoke he said he didn’t think hell had ever been sung about quite that way in that church! Brings a smile to my face now.
What do you say to someone who lost one of the most precious gifts in their life? Words do not exist to express my sorrow for your loss. Each personal loss is just that. You have an idea of what they are going through but not the total weight that it weighs on them because each one is different. I truly believe in the power of prayer and know that the loss of Jay has you in my thoughts and prayers and the many many many people he touched in life. If within arms reach, a long hug and cry goes a long long long way. Don’t have to say a word, because you are in fact, saying a lot. I know, from my own personal losses that the hugs given to me, said a lot. They were much needed and appreciated on my part. Sort of a unspoken universal language.
Thank you so much Dan – such beautiful words of empathy. I am sorry for your losses also…hugs to you
Thank you Susan!
I am so very sorry for your loss. He seems like a wonderful man and taught school at my alma mater, South Cobb and I am also an alumni of West GA. I have a son who is two years younger and cannot fathom such a tragic loss. God bless and keep you and thank-you for keeping his memory alive by having this page and the Golf Tournament.