Phillip Lee Chapman, 68

Phillip Lee (P.L.) Chapman, 68, of Rathdrum, Idaho, passed away peacefully surrounded by family Feb. 5, 2024, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. P.L. was born Jan. 21, 1956, in St. Maries, Idaho, to Glenn R. Chapman and Geraldine M. (Jurgens) Chapman.

He spent his early years in Big Creek, Idaho, and later the family moved to Osburn, Idaho. He attended school in the Wallace School District.

P.L. met Joy Baillie of Mullan, Idaho, in the spring of 1981 and they were married in Coeur d’Alene on Dec. 31, 1984. P.L. and Joy resided in Osburn during the early years of their marriage, where they raised their two children, Phillip Nicholas (Nick) Chapman and Nicole Lee (Colee) Chapman.

He worked as a hard rock miner and construction worker until he suffered a C-2 fracture in an auto accident in 1990.

P.L. loved hunting, fishing and auto mechanics and spent most of his time in the mountains or on the local lakes.

When the kids reached high school age, the family moved to the Coeur d’Alene area to be closer to Joy’s work and shortly thereafter relocated to the Sandpoint area, where they lived until 2017.  

P.L. attended the First Baptist Church in Sandpoint until health issues made it difficult, so he then attended the Laclede Community Church, which was closer to home.

P.L. and Joy moved to Rathdrum in October 2017 to be closer to their children, grandchildren and P.L.’s doctors.

Survivors include his wife, Joy, of Rathdrum; daughter Nicole Baillie and granddaughter Peytton Jennings of Rathdrum; grandson Ryan Jennings of Ponderay, Idaho; granddaughter Chloe Chapman of Hayden, Idaho; daughter-in-law Danielle Chapman of Garwood, Idaho; sister Linda McElmurry of Hammond, Ore.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

P.L. was preceded in death by his son, Nick; his parents, Glenn and Jerry; his brothers, Gerald and Jack; and his nieces, Hannah and Twilla.

He was a longtime supporter of St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (P.O. Box 1893, Memphis, TN 38101) and requested that in lieu of flowers donations be made to St. Jude’s.

A viewing for P.L. will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, at Yates Funeral Home — Hayden Chapel, 373 E. Hayden Ave., Hayden. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, at Yates Funeral Home — Hayden Chapel. P.L. will be laid to rest at Pine Grove Cemetery, 6693 SH-53, Rathdrum.

Please visit P.L.’s memorial and sign his online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.