John David Chapman 
September 19, 1955 – May 12, 2015

John David Chapman, 59, of Leavenworth, passed away at his home Tuesday, May 12, 2015. John was born September 19, 1955, at Ft. Benning, Georgia. He was preceded in death by his mother, Evelyn.

John is survived by his father, Col. Hershel Chapman, U.S. Army Retired; his brothers, Charles and wife, Cinda and Robert; his nieces, Candace, Cathryn, Kristy, and Rebecca; his nephews, Timothy, and Christian; and a great-niece, Claire Evelyn.

John graduated from Leavenworth High School in 1975 and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in Santa Monica, California, in 1978. Upon graduation from GIA as a Graduate Gemologist (GG) at the top of his class, he was hired be GIA as a diamond grader and rose to diamond grader team chief.

When his parents purchased Lavery’s Jewelry Store, a downtown landmark since 1892, he joined the family business as a gemologist. He soon expanded his credentials by attaining the title of Certified Gemologist (CG). John’s expertise with gems and his professional talent with diamond setting, jewelry design, and repair was soon recognized locally and even across the country as a world class jeweler.

John loved the outdoors and enjoyed boating, gardening, hunting, as well as playing baseball, football, and basketball. He was well loved and will be missed by many.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 20, 2015, at the R.L. Leintz Funeral Home. Private inurnment will be at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association.