A loving and dedicated Son, Brother, Uncle, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Godfather, Friend, and

Mentor, who entered eternal life peacefully on Monday January 29, 2024, surrounded by family. He was

86 yrs. old.

               Carlos was born in Ventura, Ca. on September 4, 1937, and was a sixth-generation native

Californian and a lifelong Ventura County resident. His parents were Jovita Bustos, originally from San

Nicolas de Ibarra, Jalisco, Mexico, and Victor Edward Chapman, a native of Ventura.

Carlos was baptized and confirmed at the San Buenaventura Mission. He attended school at Holy Cross

and Ventura High School Class of 56’. He moved to Ojai, CA where he worked and raised his family. He

worked as a Long Shoreman, Firefighter and Engineer for 42yrs working for the Ventura County Fire

Dept. He loved his job and had an incredible work ethic that firefighters talk about today. Carlos started

his career at the age of 18 as a volunteer at station 24 on Vince Street in Ventura. On January 21, 1961,

Carlos (23yrs old) responded with station 24 to a Gas explosion at the Pacific Gas Lighting Plant in

School Canyon off Ventura Avenue. While fighting the fire, Carlos and fellow firefighters were hosing

down a 12-inch gas pipe when it exploded on them. Carlos said when a 200-foot fire ball rolled towards

him, he yelled, “O my God, please not now”. He covered his eyes to protect them and was thrown down

the hill on fire. He and 10 others were injured in the blast.

He later became a full-time Firefighter working at station 22 where he worked under his Father in-law Ed

(Red) Gutierrez at station 22 Miners Oaks, Ca. Later, he would be transferred to station 23 and retired at

station 21. After retiring, our father would say, “why did I retire, I miss it.” He was a true hero to his

profession.

Carlos is survived by his sons Martin Edward Chapman, [fiancé’ Ofelia Monroy, grandson Luke], Michael

Chapman, [wife Alison, grandchildren Jayden, Ryan, and Ava], Daughters Melissa Jovita Jean Chapman

[grandchildren Gavin and Jaxon], Micaela Jovita Chapman and eldest sister Ruth Chapman. He also had

many wonderful nieces and nephews from the Dykes and Perez families of Ventura. 

Carlos is preceded in death by his mother Jovita Bustos and father Victor Edward Chapman, sisters

Gloria, Francis, Carmen, and Dolores.

Carlos was a member of St Thomas Aquinas Church in Ojai where he volunteered and served as a

Eucharistic Minister. Later in his life, after moving back to Ventura from Ojai, he was a parishioner of Our

Lady of Assumption Church in Ventura.

Carlos was well known as the Family Historian. Being the sixth generation Grandson of Joseph John

Chapman (1784-1849). Joseph Chapman was one of the earliest American settlers in California, he was

proud of his surname. Carlos was also an avid runner and the wall at his home displayed many medals

from his races in the Firemen’s Olympic over the years. Carlos did not like to lose; he always gave his all.

Carlos also loved to watch all his Grandchildren play sports and he supported them constantly. We will

miss him dearly.

A Rosary will be held Thursday, Feb 8th, 6:30pm and visitation will be from 2:30pm to 9pm at Joseph P.

Reardon Funeral Home, 757 E. Main Street, Ventura CA 93001 Phone: 805-643-8623

Mass will be celebrated Friday, Feb 9th at 9:30am at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church at

3175 Telegraph Road Ventura, CA 93003 Phone: 805-642-7966

The Burial will be held at Ivy Lawn Cemetery at 11am at 5400 Valentine Road, Ventura, CA 93003

Phone: 805-642-1055

A Reception will follow at the Moose Lodge at 10269 Telephone Rd, Ventura, CA 93004. 12pm to 3pm.

We will miss you dearly Dad as you were our Rock growing up. You never stopped loving and supporting

us, including our entire family. You taught us the importance of family. We Love you beyond words.

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