Birth date: Feb 21, 1964 Death date: Jun 3, 2022
On Friday, June 3, 2022, Evan Jay Chapple, surrounded by his wife and children, passed away after a year and a half-long battle with lung cancer. Evan was known for his love of his family and community, his passion for his farm an Read Obituary
Evan is a LEGEND! He will live in my heart forever as a kind, caring, authentic, humorous, genuine, hard working, high expectation kind of a guy. I loved and cherished his smile and his laughter and most of all his depth of conversations.
In a personality profile, we were both known as "advancers" and there are not many folks who are advancers - and others have a hard time understanding our drive. Knowing this, we both understood one another -as we were almost possessed with getting tasks done right and efficiently without a lot of fuss. Just do it and do it right and don't complain or whine. He was a rock to so many. Quiet - calm - steady - awesome.
I treasure every single moment with Evan but I also treasure every single moment and conversation with Holly and the entire beautiful Chapple family!
We are all so blessed. I love each and every one of you! He will continue to live vibrantly through each of us.
Dear Holly, family and team
All at David Austin Roses send our thoughts, prayers and support at this difficult time.
David and I were fortunate to meet Evan in person following a Chapel Designers event in London, at which I did a little presentation. I can remember clearly Evan's kindness in looking after me - I was nervous about presenting to a room full of people and Evan simply made me feel so welcome. After the event, Evan asked me about arranging a secret and surprise visit for Holly to the David Austin nursery and to meet David Austin. A day later, we were all sitting down for lunch with David and talking all things floral. It was a real privilege for us to host your visit and share our mutual stories. These are two counts where Evan was thinking about others and bringing joy and support at every opportunity. I know this act will have been mirrored so many times during his life; it will have been witnessed and felt by so many and the world is so much richer for it.
It was only a few weeks' ago that your book, A Life in Flowers, arrived through the letterbox at home. Yesterday, I was able to sit down quietly and read Evan's words 'Married2Flowers' and I feel privileged to get an insight into the very special life you've built up together at Hope Farm. I also love Evan's honesty - and his quote "I need her to say yes; and she needs me to say no"! Evan's legacy is clear to see in Hope Farm - a wonderful place that has been created for the family, a business and the wider floral world, which I know will continue to flourish in so many ways and be enjoyed by so many.
We send our very best wishes, support and strength to you all now and in the future.
With love from
Jo and all at David Austin Roses
My first encounter with Evan was Freshman Football at Tuskie during the first year of covid. He was always at the games and was always encouraging Eli, supporting Eli and sometimes he may have gotten a little frustrated with some of the refs' calls (I was pretty sure you didn't want to get on his bad side...LOL!). What I saw was the love and pride he had for Eli. At that time, I had no idea that he had 6 other children. However, after attending his beautiful memorial and celebration of life this evening, I realized he was a father who was proud of all his children, he was proud of his wife, he was proud to have an amazing group of friends and family and he was proud of his faith. He cherished the blessings he had and the accomplishments you all made as a family.
If there was anyone that attended the service tonight that was not a believer, I am pretty sure you walked a way a believer. From the blue sky to the lower heat and humidity, to the hawk, to the amazing sunset, to the birds singing and to the fireflies that lit up the field, there is not a doubt in my mind that Evan was there and he was telling all of us to live life to the fullest and to love with all your heart, to believe and have faith.
He will be missed when Eli takes that field this fall, but Eli, he will be that angel watching over you, that hawk who will fight for you.
Praying for peace for you Holly and your entire family. Evan was a wonderful soul. Sending hugs to you.
Nancy
Holly, I am so, so sorry to hear of Evan's passing. He was always so gracious to my mother when you folks would visit. Mom often said Holly married a "fine young man". A life taken much too soon! My mother always said "Be sad, but then be happy and celebrate his life well lived. That I will do and I hope you all do also. Evan has now found the peace and comfort we all long for. He is now free! God is good!
Hi Holly and Family,
Sending you all love and prayers during a difficult time. Evan was a wonderful man and had talents beyond anyone I know. I remember when Evan became part of the business and we worked hard to understand each other in the flower buying process. We agreed to disagree sometimes, but it was always a great pleasure to work with him. The team of Holly and Evan worked on more than just business, but love and passion for flowers. Wish I had words that could comfort you more, but just know Evan's legacy will live on through each and every one of you. HOPE will always be the Chapple Legacy. Dahlia and Peony blooms will always remind me of Evan. Love to you all, Laurie McGregor @DVFLORA
I had the privilege of meeting Evan at the NYC Chapel Designers conference in 2013. That trip was such a gift to me, not only because I learned more about flowers, but because of the sweet relationships that continue to this day, even though I left the industry. Watching the way Evan and Holly work together to accomplish big dreams was absolutely inspiring, and it has been a privilege to keep up from afar as HOPE continues to grow.
My prayer for you in the days ahead is that you will rejoice and have hope each day, as you see the countless seeds of Evan’s legacy bloom. Much love to you and your family.
Ellen and I send our deepest sympathy to Holly and family. Eighteen years ago when we moved to our home just a few houses away from Holly and Evan, there was a big snow storm. As I stood feeling foolish that I was caught unprepared to deal with the foot and a half of snow on our driveway, Evan pulled up on his tractor and cleared it for us. He helped us out without being asked and we were truly grateful for his help. It's a fond memory we have of Evan and we are saddened by his passing.
Holly, I didn’t know Evan, and I only know you through following you on Instagram. But I wanted to express my heartfelt sympathy at this huge loss. Your husband was so loved by you and your family. - Maureen Davidson
The day Evan died, my daughter's homework was to ask an adult about a letter that changed their life. First I thought of the letter I received stating I did not get into my dream MPA program. Had the news been otherwise I may not be a part of the floral world. And then I thought of a letter I wrote over the course of five months, hired a coach for help and edits, that I sent to the people who brought me back to the floral world after my leukemia. That letter was an attempt at expressing my appreciation to Holly and Evan for bringing me to NYC and into the Chapel Designers Family.
I was struggling to connect with the life I had before my diagnosis. The Chapples (led by Holly's impulsive generosity and ingenuity, and backed by the unwavering support of Evan) brought me to the New York Chapel Designers' Conference, and by doing so, they brought me back to flowers.
The notes I took in NYC have little to do with floral design, and everything to do with living. Holly + Evan showed me how to be generous with knowledge and love. That life is better when you assume the best of people. They helped me figure out how to carry my experience rather than disregard it, and that integration brought me back to living my life.
At the opening of the event Evan spoke of his wife, Holly, saying that she lives under a star and is constantly bringing others under it to share in the light. I know I'm not the only one that knows the truth, Evan is always under that star too. They found each other under that star and spent each day spreading the light. So much that they build a constellation.
Evan left a world of light and love in which he will remain. I will continue to live my life whole-heartedly, full of compassion, assuming the best of people and I will find others to bring under the stars.
Too often life's challenges are framed as win or lose, as if death is a failing. But no matter what brings our life to an end, it is how we go about living during our days that is our success. Stuart Scott once said "we beat cancer by how we live, why we live and the manner in which we live." We do not win by surviving, we win by how we live.
Evan for the win. Rest in Peace. You live on in Love and Light. And Each time I listen to Eye of the Tiger I will think of you, my friend.
