The Life of Maurice Joseph Chappuis Jr.
Maurice Joseph “Chappy” Chappuis, Jr., a retired realtor and real estate appraiser, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Saturday, March 6, 2010, at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center in Lafayette. He was 87. Mr. Chappuis was born in New Orleans and was a resident of the Lafayette area for more than 50 years. He graduated from San Marcos Baptist Academy in San Marcos, Texas, and attended Southwestern Louisiana Institute from 1947-1949, where he played starting fullback for the Bulldogs football team. Chappy served his country proudly in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1942-1945. A sergeant, he was part of a Marine torpedo bombing squadron during the Iwo Jima Volcanic Islands Campaign and fought in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. He also ran a successful livestock and horse-racing business. He was a professional Thoroughbred horse and Charolais show cattle breeder. His champion stallion Admiral’s Voyage took second place in the Belmont Stakes. Chappy was a master appraiser for more than 30 years. He served as vice president, secretary and past president of the Lafayette Board of Realtors and was a member of the National Association of Home Builders. The Lafayette Board of Realtors named him Realtor of the Year in 1965. He was also a member of the Lafayette Kiwanis Club and oversaw the club’s annual Football Jamboree in the 1960s. He was a member of the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and a parishioner of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Scott. He is survived by his former wife and present loving companion, Peggy S. Chappuis Baber Alker of Scott, La.; loving daughter Bette Van Scyoc and her husband, David, of Lancaster, Ohio; and son James “Jimmy” Chappuis of Scott, La.; two cherished grandsons, Gavin Moyer, Adam Moyer and daughter-in-law Monica Moyer; and four great-grandchildren, Blake, Alec, Sierra and Sophia. Also survived by three loving nephews, Brian Chappuis, and his wife, Debi; Duke Chappuis, and his wife, Susie, and Scott Chappuis; and other loving relatives, Becky Baber, Bonnie Baber, Matt Power, Veronica Droulia and Sabrina Baber. He was preceded in death by his parents, Maurice Joseph Chappuis, Sr., and Daisy M. Frost of New Orleans; his first wife, Bette Jane Pias Chappuis; his late wife of more than 46 years, Laura N. Fite Chappuis; and his beloved brother Sheldon Chappuis and sister-in-law Bonnie Chappuis. He was a devoted husband, a caring father, an adoring grandfather and a loyal friend. His many interests and hobbies were an inspiration to many, and all who knew and loved him will miss him. Relatives and friends are invited to join the family for a celebration of Chappy’s life at 1 p.m. on Friday, March 12, 2010, in La Fleur de Lis Chapel in Martin & Castille's Southside Lafayette location. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until the time of service. Rev. Louis Allen Breaux, Associate Pastor of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Scott, will pray a Rosary at noon and will conduct the funeral services. Interment will follow in Lafayette Memorial Park Cemetery. Martin & Castille, 600 E. Farrel Rd.-Lafayette, 984-2811
