Barry Bowers Chapman, 88, of Paducah, passed away peacefully on May 19, 2026, after a long journey with Alzheimer’s disease.
Born on August 22, 1937, in Bowling Green, KY, Barry was the son of Virgil and Dorothy Chapman. He graduated from Augusta Tilghman High School in 1955 and went on to earn both his degree in Finance and later his MBA from Murray State University. Curious and technically gifted from an early age, Barry was a man who could patiently figure out complicated systems, repair almost anything, and quietly serve the people around him without needing recognition for it.
Barry was deeply curious and endlessly capable. He loved jazz and classical music, history, photography, and a really good meal, especially if salmon or a wedge salad with blue cheese was involved. He could play the piano beautifully by ear, wire a house from scratch, and repair almost anything. He was the kind of man people called when something needed fixing, figuring out, or faithfully seeing through.
Barry and Donna’s 52-year marriage began with a first date at the symphony and grew into a life marked by deep faith, devoted service, and love for family, including the joyful arrival of their daughter, Beth, in October 1977.
Barry worked as a Purchasing Agent for Lockheed Martin from 1965 until 1997, although those who knew him best know he never really slowed down. A lifelong member of First Baptist Church, he began serving in the church’s sound ministry as a teenager and continued faithfully serving behind the scenes for decades as a Sunday School teacher, choir member, and deacon.
In the early 70s, Barry helped launch First Baptist Paducah’s television ministry alongside Pastor John Wood and continued serving in that ministry until 2017. Under Barry’s technical leadership, the church became the first in Kentucky to televise services using three color cameras and a VHF broadcast system reaching across a five-state area.
Barry also had a lifelong passion for amateur radio. Known by his call sign W4IBI, he communicated with people all over the world from his radio room in Paducah and eventually achieved the prestigious DXCC Honor Roll, one of amateur radio’s highest recognitions. He was also fluent in Morse code, a skill he used for decades through both amateur and military auxiliary radio communications.
Beyond being a hobby, radio was also an avenue of service for Barry. For approximately 50 years, he volunteered through Army MARS (Military Affiliate Radio System), helping maintain emergency and military auxiliary communications capabilities. He also served for 30 years with Disaster and Emergency Services in McCracken County, helping provide communications support during disasters and community emergencies.
Although Barry accomplished many impressive things, he rarely drew attention to himself. He was steady, dependable, generous, and quietly funny, often delivering subtle one-liners with a twinkle in his eye that you might miss if you were not paying attention. He took care of people. He did what he said he would do. He loved deeply and served faithfully. He will be incredibly missed.
Barry is survived by his wife, Donna Nall Chapman; his daughter and son-in-law, Beth and Joe Kaufmann; his grandchildren, Beck and Lottie Kaufmann; his brother and sister-in-law, Herbert and Denise Chapman; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dan and Pat Nall; and his nephews, Herbie and Sherri Chapman and family, Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman and family, Danny Nall and family, and Michael Nall.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his great-niece, Maria Chapman.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to Jessica Dunn, Amanda Whittington, Kailyn Jackson and Keri Barrett for the faithful care, kindness, and support they provided throughout Barry’s long illness. Their presence brought comfort not only to Barry but also to Donna and the entire family.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 26, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Milner & Orr Funeral Home on Memorial Drive, with the funeral service beginning at 2:00 p.m. Officiating will be Dr. Brian Arnold and Rev. Tommy Tucker. Burial will follow at Mount Kenton Cemetery in Paducah.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations in Barry’s memory to the Television Ministry at First Baptist Church Paducah, 2890 Broadway Street, Paducah, KY 42001.
Share a memory or leave a message for the family at www.milnerandorr.com.
