Judith Chappell

Judith Kaye Ott Chappell was granted her passage from this world peacefully in her home in Ada, Oklahoma October 29, 2018. She was born January 23, 1940 in Okemah, Oklahoma to Robert Glen and Nellie L. Wilson Ott, the oldest of three children. Judy grew up in Oklahoma and graduated from Ardmore High School, Class of 1958. While in high school she developed her lifelong love of music and singing. She became an accomplished vocalist with her trio of friends known for their beautiful three-part harmony. In 1958 she married Max Brumley (later divorced) and moved out west to Colorado. They had two sons Greg and Gary. She grew to love the west and especially the lack of tornados. Judy had many talents, and in everything she did, she had a standard of perfection. She was especially a wonderful homemaker. Her passion for cooking, trying new recipes, sewing, doing challenging patterns for quilts and afghans, and crafting brought her real joy. Later on in life Judy met the love of her life, Joe Chappell. They were married February 2, 1980 and made their home in Santaquin, Utah. Judy willingly worked side by side with Joe who was expanding his businesses in the oil industry. They created a chain of Circle C truck stops and convenience markets mostly in Utah. In 1993 they sold the businesses and spent time traveling the world, including being in Europe to see the Obermmergau Passion plays in Germany and witnessed the tearing down of the Berlin Wall. Eventually they moved to Oklahoma and started ranching, Joe’s true passion. Although Judy had not been raised with animals, she soon adapted and loved the ranch life. Their innovations elevated the Bar Diamond Ranch in Pittsburg, Oklahoma to be an elite ranch that produced organic beef, and her home-cooked meals and cookies drew men far and wide to help with roundup every year. They sold the Bar Diamond in 2005 and bought the Arrowhead west of Ada, as well as three other small ranches. The focus changed from cattle to horses including race horses. They had horses in many racing events in Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico. Joe loved the racing; Judy loved the horses. Throughout their pseudo-retirement they would take breaks from the ranch to travel the states and Canada often to see rodeos like the Calgary Stampede, the Pendleton Round-up, and annually attended the NFR. They also enjoyed the Indy 500. They had many friends in many states who love them like family, and they often made it back to Utah annually to reunite and enjoy the family there. When Joe passed away in 2013, Judy took the reins to run the ranches with the help of a couple of ranch hands for one more year before she sold them. Also after his passing, she joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 2015 and was sealed to Joe for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake City temple. Judy moved for a brief stint back to Santaquin, Utah but quickly decided that Oklahoma was her one true home, so she and her loyal companion Casper the dog moved back to Ada, Oklahoma where she lived from 2015 until her passing. Fortunately, she had a loving “family” in Ada who cared for her with deep love and compassion. The good members of the ward and missionaries were family to her, and she loved entertaining and feeding large groups. Charlene Skaggs moved in with her and selflessly watched out for Judy’s every need, and rarely left her side for a year and a half. They formed a unique and loving bond of sisterhood and enjoyed many fun times even if it was just watching T.V. at home. The family’s gratitude to Charlene cannot be expressed in words. Judy loved being with her family, and Charlene provided a final trip to Utah so that she could see most of her posterity. In addition, the family would like to thank Tom Cox, and Misti Saas for making it possible for Judy to stay in her home when she was no longer able to be independent as she so liked to be. Deep gratitude is also extended for the attentive and caring professionals at Kindful Hospice of Ada, Oklahoma who made sure that Judy was comfortable and cared for. Judy is survived by her two sons Greg (Jackie) Brumley of Monte Vista, Colorado; Gary (Cathy) Brumley of Montrose, Colorado; her brother Kenny (Darlene) Ott, Ardmore, Oklahoma; and sister-in-law Kim Ott, Monte Vista, Colorado. From Joe she gained what she kindly coined as “bonus daughters” who in turn love her as their “bonus mom”: Dorothy (Carl) James, Centerville, Utah; Christine (Milton) Johnson, Hyde Park, Utah; Tamra (Victor) Petersen, West Mountain, Utah; and JoLyn (Noni) Chappell, Centerfield, Utah. She has one natural granddaughter, Gretchen Brumley who she adored beyond words. Judy also considered all of Joe’s grandchildren and Greg’s step-children as her own and was a caring grandma to 31 more grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father and mother, husband Leslie Joe Chappell, brother Dale Ott, and an infant grandson Jared James. Funeral services will be held Thursday, November 1 at 10:00 a.m. in the Ada, Oklahoma Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 2100 East Arlington Blvd under the care of the Criswell Funeral Home in Ada, Oklahoma. A graveside service will be held for family and friends at the Santaquin, Utah cemetery on Saturday, November 3rd at 4:00 p.m. She will have her final resting place next to her sweetheart, Joe. Interment under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Homes of Richfield and Salina.