Richard Kenneth Chapman

Richard 'Spanky' Kenneth Chapman, 69, husband of Gloria Jean DeLoach Chapman, died on the morning of October 6, 2014, at his home.



He was born on May 9, 1945 to Freddie and Mary Chapman of Savannah.?? Richard met the love of his life, Gloria DeLoach, who lived across the street from his childhood home.?? Richard and Gloria were married on July 23, 1965, and gave birth to their only child, Pamela Jean Chapman in 1970.



Richard and his family moved to Florida after he joined the Florida Highway Patrol in 1973, it was his dream job and it would be the start of an amazing story.?? In 1983, Trooper Chapman was honored to be chosen to be one of four teams to be part of the pilot program for The FHP Highway Drug Interdiction K-9 Program.?? Spanky was paired with K-9 Abbey and together they became one of the most celebrated teams in the Patrol\'s history.?? The two amassed an amazing 497 felony arrests, and received numerous awards from various agencies around the state, as well as two Cabinet Resolutions from two Florida governors.?? Sadly Spanky and Abbey\'s success would also lead to tragedy, a drug smuggler wrapped a shipment of drugs in poison, causing Abbey\'s retirement and eventual death and leading Spanky to years of sickness before a kidney and liver transplant.?? Spanky continued with FHP until his retirement after almost 30 years of honorable service.?? These injuries in the line of duty resulted in Trooper Chapman being awarded the Purple Heart by the FHP. After his retirement Spanky, Gloria, Pam and Pam\'s husband, Jason Pagliaro moved back to Savannah.?? Spanky was instrumental in Jason deciding to pursue a career as a police officer with Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police.



Spanky enjoyed working in his wood shop, growing bonsai, and spending time with his family throughout his retirement.



Surviving are his wife, Gloria DeLoach Chapman; his daughter, Pamela and her husband, Jason; his sister, Betty Ann Lichner and her husband, Jon; his brother, Ronald Henry Chapman and his wife, Susan, and two nieces.



The family will receive friends from 2 until 3 o'clock Sunday afternoon at Gamble Funeral Service ' 410 Stephenson Avenue, Savannah.



The funeral service will be held at 3 o'clock Sunday afternoon in the chapel of Gamble Funeral Service. Interment will be private.



In lieu of flowers, please honor Trooper Richard \"Spanky\" Chapman, Abbey and their service by giving to the Effingham County Sheriff\'s Office K-9 ' Post Office Box 1015, Springfield, Georgia 31329.