George Edward Chapel

George Edward Chapel-77, formerly of Vaughn, MT, passed over the Great Divide to be with the angels at his home in Hereford, AZ, with his family at his side.

He was born to Gene and Marie Chapel December 20, 1943, on the family ranch north of Big Timber, MT.

He attended the Sharonite grade school with his mother as his first teacher. He also attended Sweet Grass High School in Big Timber and was very active in school activities such as FFA (he was the state president) and football (he lettered.) It was during high school that he developed his love for pickups, as he had a blue 1957 Chevy that he maintained and loved throughout his high school years.. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and was stationed at Lemoore, CA where he earned the title of Plane Captain. He served time on the USS Coral Sea, the USS Enterprise, and the USS Kearsage. It was his job to teach pilots how to take off and land on the aircraft carriers.

In Lemoore, he met Patricia Plum mother of his two children- Treva and Justin. In 1963, he was assigned to Memphis, TN, where he met Jim Tremble from TX and the two of them started the first rodeo team for the United States Navy and the event was documented in the Navy Times. Jim and George remained lifelong friends. After an honorable discharge from the Navy, he returned to Big Timber, MT.

Through the years he worked as a rancher, truck driver, machinist for the railroad, and highway construction. He worked for Leo Cremer (known as Mr. Rodeo) hauling show cattle, hauled rodeo stock for Ike Sankie, and worked on the Pederson Ranch.

He was a lifelong member of the American Quarter Horse Association, the Pro Rodeo Association, and the North American Hunting Club. On December 21, 1984, he married the love of his life, Rosemary Ott and together they built their life around horses and the great outdoors. His love of horses and rodeo took him into bronc riding, horse racing and breeding. At the rodeos, George could always be found at the chutes helping and jawing with the new kids. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved wagon trains, fishing, hunting, and trail riding. He was extremely proud to have one of his horses and carts in the opening scene of Robert Redford’s movie, A River Runs Through It.

He is preceded in death by his father-Gene, mother-Marie, brother Eugene, and brother Gary.

He is survived by a brother Jim of Ballentine, MT, his wife, Rosemary of Hereford, AZ, daughter Treva Jahunke of Livingston, MT, son Justin of Reno, NV, step daughter Corenia Tortolano of Mc Alpin, FL, step son Wyatt Breum of Centennial, CO, many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

After cremation, a small service with military honors will take place Saturday, August 21 at 1:00 P.M. at the Jensen Funeral Home, Sierra Vista, AZ.

Remains will be taken to Montana at a later date for a military service and to be interred at Fort Harrison.

In Lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to The Pro Rodeo Association- Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund, to assist injured cowboys and cowgirls get back in the saddle. Please visit: www.justincowboycrisisfund.org.

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