Jon Thomas Chapin's Obituary
Jon T. Chapin, 81, formerly of Cheyenne, Wyoming, passed away at home in Seaford, DE from metastatic lung cancer on July 29, 2025. He was born in Callaway, Nebraska on June 18, 1944. Jon married Maida L. Hardin on March 4, 1966 at The Methodist Church in Oshkosh, Nebraska.
Jon served as an aircraft mechanic in the United States Army during the Vietnam war from 1962-1965 and was honorably discharged. Although he didn’t talk about his time in Vietnam, he was always proud to have served his country.
Jon had a long career with the Union Pacific Railroad and retired as an engineer running trains between Cheyenne and Rawlins, Wyoming. He had a second family among his friends on the tracks and they made many great memories and shared life’s tears and laughter.
For many years Jon and Maida had a little piece of heaven on earth in Table Mountain Ranches, west of Cheyenne, Wyoming where they raised and trained horses, shared time with many friends and neighbors, and put up many seasons of hay; bales both big and small, depending on the tension.
Jon and his wife Maida regularly opened their heart and home to those in need. They taught others the value of a good day’s work and how to show up to do the hard things in life through their love of raising and training horses. These friends are scattered far and wide today but they each had a piece of his heart.
Ultimately, Jon and Maida moved to Seaford, Delaware to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Jon spent many of his days golfing at the local golf course and calling to keep up with extended family and friends all over the country.
Jon is survived by his wife Maida L. Chapin, two daughters Marita L. Luby and her husband, Mike of Edgewater, Maryland and Tara L. Bombardier and her husband, David of Sheldon, Vermont and one son, Philip Beaufeaux of Loveland, Colorado, eleven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his eldest brother Warren Rea Chapin of Gering, Nebraska and his wife Wauneta, his youngest sister Sherry Beaufeaux of Phoenix, Arizona, sister-in-law Judy Chapin of Kearney, Missouri, brother-in-law Dale Nelson of Lander, Wyoming, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He will be greatly missed by all. 381
Jon was preceded in death by his parents, Earl R. Chapin and Olive M. (Crawford) Chapin, siblings: Errol D. Chapin and his wife Dorothy, Frederick H. Chapin, and Olive Gay Nelson: and grandson, Joshua Wayne Cook.
A celebration of life will be held at 5:00 PM, on August 13, 2025, at The Golf Club at South River, 3451 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD 21037.
A second celebration of life will be scheduled at 3:00 PM, on October 26, at 1509 Horsecreek Road, Cheyenne, Wyoming, in addition to an inurnment in Arlington Cemetery; details to follow. Watch Jon’s Facebook page for more information.
Please sign Jon's tribute wall at this site.
What’s your fondest memory of Jon?
What’s a lesson you learned from Jon?
Share a story where Jon's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Jon you’ll never forget.
How did Jon make you smile?