Jarrell Lee “Jerry” Chappell, age 79, was born to parents Phebe and John Stanley Chappell in Roanoke, TX on March 25, 1942.

Jerry grew up on his parents’ farm in the little community of Pleasant Grove, located a few miles outside Elgin, Texas.  Jerry, along with family members and old friends, attended the annual Pleasant Grove Homecoming.  The one room schoolhouse where his siblings, Johnny and Pat, went to school still stands.  Jerry’s parents and siblings are buried in Pleasant Grove Cemetery.

Jerry attended high school in Elgin where he was active in many school activities. The football team on which he was a player went to state in 1958.  This special team enjoyed reunions and a measure of notoriety in Elgin well into their 70’s.

After graduation from Baylor University, Jerry attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He had many talents and career experiences, but the one most loved, spanning 40 plus years, was the selling of heavy construction equipment and oil field equipment by auction.  Though it is serious work, Jerry’s personality also made it fun, but in skillset, he was an amazing auctioneer.  He worked for several auction companies before forming his own BC Auctioneers. Jerry also gave freely of his talents to countless charitable causes.  Over the years he raised significant funding as the auctioneer for many large charity events all over Texas and Oklahoma.  He was also happy to volunteer for small events too, such as teaching school children in a classroom about auctions and how to chant bids.  

 In his later years, Jerry enjoyed golfing once a week with Tuesdays Alibi Club.  He was also a member of a small men’s prayer group that meets on Monday mornings to pray for our nation.  In addition, he was a member of both Gideons International and Bible Study Fellowship. Jerry loved the fellowship of all of these men’s groups.

Jerry was an active member of First Baptist Church of San Antonio where he attended the Pastor’s Sunday School class.  He also found much peace reading through the Bible, from Genesis to the Revelation, each year for the last few years.

Jerry sons are: John Chappell of Houston, Scott Chappell of Amarillo, and his stepson, Matthew Forrester, of Austin.  In addition are his 12 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren (with a third one due in January), all of whom he loved so much.  Every night Jerry prayed for his sons and their wives, and his grandchildren and great grandchildren, each one by name.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Johnny and sister, Pat (Lynn Ray) Gustafson. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Lil, sons John (Isabelle), Scott (Laurie), Matt (Laura), and his grandchildren: Kori Chappell, Kody (Michelle, Bennett and Bonnie Faye) Chappell, Konnor Chappell, Jake Chappell, Will (Vivian) Chappell, Scout Chappell, Lily Chappell, Griffin Chappell, Beck Forrester, Ruth Ann Forrester, Winnie Forrester, Gus Forrester, a loving niece, nephews, and a host of cousins and friends whose lives filled him with joy. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the 50-year-old TV ministry of First Baptist Church.  

MEMORIAL SERVICE

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2021

2:00 P.M.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

 515 MCCULLOUGH AVENUE, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78215

 Reception to follow in Unity Hall.

Please click here to view a live stream of Jerry's services

 Parking only in the White (Handicapped), Yellow and Orange lots at McCullough and Broadway.