John Lee Chipman, 79, of Francitas, Texas passed away on February 23, 2025.  He was born on November 19, 1945 in San Antonio, Texas to the late George H. Chipman and Evelyn Martin Chipman.

John had to quit school early to help his father repair roofs.  From that early experience, he started his own company, Chipman Construction, in 1975.  In 1983, he moved his family from Brenham, Texas to Francitas, Texas and along with his wife, Virginia, continued the construction business in Palacios.  Once involved in the Palacios community, he became an active member of the Palacios Chamber of Commerce (President 2006 and 2007), PEDC, Palacios Supporters, Bank Board of Director and may other organizations and activities in the community.  In 2004 he was awarded Palacios Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year and in 2006 he was awarded Man of the Year.  In 2016, he was awarded the prestigious MCEDC George Holst Award.  After many successful years, he decided to retire and sold his business in 2013.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Richard Chipman, Raymond Chipman and Robert Chipman; sisters Patricia Dake and Debra Blair; brother-in-law Raymond Koch; daughter Rhonda Lewis; son-in-law Mark Dunn and great grandson Weston Lee Hunt.

John is survived by his wife of 49 years Virginia Chipman; daughter Monica Dunn (Greg); son Greg Chipman (Miros); grandsons Ryan Lewis and Matthew Dunn (Courtney); granddaughter Marissa Hunt (Jeremy) and great granddaughters Presley Hunt, Paisley Hunt and Brooklyn Deleon.  He was the best husband, dad, papaw and friend to everyone who knew him.

The family will receive friends and family from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at Trinity Baptist Church in Palacios.  Funeral service will be at 2:00 PM with Rev. Louis Rush officiating.  Interment will follow at Hawley Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Matthew Dunn, Jeremy Hunt, Anthony Smith, Victor Eggemeyer, John Gayle and Kevin Harvey.  Honorary pallbearers will be George Capak and Larry Wesch.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at the Palacios Community Medical Center and the ICU staff at El Campo Memorial Hospital for their continued effort and support for John and his family.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Palacios Community Medical Center; 311 Green St.; Palacios, TX 77465 or El Campo Memorial Hospital; 303 Sandy Corner Rd.; El Campo, TX 77437.