MADERA - Local baseball legend Eddie Chapa passed away yesterday. The Chapa family said, "Our beloved father, grandfather, brother, and coach Eddie Chapa has reached home plate at the age of 88. He passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 surrounded by his loving family."
Eddie was born to Bertha and Teodoro Chapa on July 21, 1930 in Laredo, Texas. He came to Madera with his dad at an early age of 16 to look for work in May of 1947. They started working in the fields picking peaches, grapes and potatoes.
He worked for Yosemite Winery from 1950 to 1959 and moved on to Simon Cleaners for many years. He then started working for Madera High School as the Equipment Manager. This job was his love and passion. He was involved with kids and various sports activities.
He loved playing baseball and watching it on TV, especially his San Francisco Giants. His passion for baseball led him to organizing a baseball team called the Madera Merchants, which he played & coached for many, many years. He also enjoyed coaching his sons in Little League and Babe Ruth. His legacy of baseball lives on at the Madera South High Eddie Chapa Field as he was so proud of it. He loved going to watch his grandkids play sports or whatever activities they did, he just loved spending time together as a family.
Eddie was an avid writer and he wrote numerous articles for the Madera Tribune and the Fresno Bee. He had a love for Madera History and would love to share it with people. He was also involved in many community clubs.
Eddie was preceded in death by his sweetheart, soul mate, love of his life, his loving wife Frances Chapa. His parents Ted & Bertha Chapa and his brother Oscar Chapa.
Eddie is survived by his 7 Children, John Chapa, MaryEllen Garcia & husband Danny, Jane Gutknecht and husband Mickey, Jimmy Chapa and wife Minnie, Lori Rodriguez and husband Esteban, Alex Chapa and wife Junita, and Diane Chapa and wife Angela. As well as his precious 21 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren all of whom held a special place in his heart.
Eddie also leaves behind his sisters Mary and husband Nestor Chavira, Yolanda and husband Charlie Chavira and Irma Gaither.
The Chapa Family would like to send a special thank you to St. Agnes Hospice for their outstanding care and support we have received during this time.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 9, 2018 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Jay Chapel in Madera, and from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at St. Joachim Catholic Church with Recitation of the Rosary beginning at 7:00 PM at St. Joachim’s Church, Madera, CA.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at 1:00 PM at St. Joachim Catholic Church. Internment immediately following at Calvary Cemetery, Madera.
Remembrances may be made to: Madera South High School Baseball Team, 705 West Pecan Avenue, Madera, CA 93637 or Madera High School Baseball Team, 200 South “L” Street, Madera, CA 93637
