Kenneth Eugene Chapman passed away peacefully August 5, 2023 at home in Fortuna at the age of 63. Kenny was born in Fortuna, CA on July 8, 1960.

He is survived by his mother Connie (Chapman) Chase, and his father Kenneth Hough, sister Arlene Stafford, half siblings, Richard Chapman, Doris Pires, and Colleen Hough, and stepsiblings Dennis Chapman and Judi Harrigan. He also left behind many aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Kenny was preceded in death by his stepfather Norman Chapman and stepmother Marie Hough. Kenny had an amazing number of friends that will miss him.

Kenny went to Cuddeback Elementary School and Graduated from Fortuna High School. He worked in masonry most of his life with his Uncle Buzz Chapman on many construction sites in Humboldt, De Norte and Lake Counties. He also worked at Eel River Saw Mill in Redcrest for a few years.  

Kenny was an amazing gardener. He grew many different vegetables, always making sure he planted plenty of beets for pickled beets and also giant pumpkins for all the kids in his life.  Kenny lived in a wooded area where the deer were like his pets. The deer and gardening were his two favorite things in the last few years of his life. He loved working with wood. He made wooden toys for kids, bookcases, quilt racks, cabinets, you name it and he could make it. He enjoyed snow skiing into his early 20’s. He was amazingly talented and could build and fix just about anything. He loved to play dice and cards.

Kenny earned the nickname “Slick” from Bob Gray because he slid off of Phil Nyberg’s barn roof on a piece of plywood, uninjured.

Kenny was a wonderful person and always had the best intentions. He was a man of few words but, when he spoke you listened. He was very practical and gave the best advice, he seemed to know the right thing to say at the right time. He had a fantastic sense of humor and would do almost anything for those he cared about. Kenny was loved by many and will leave a hole in all of our hearts.  

A gathering will take place sometime in the near future.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Kenneth’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.