Kendrick LeMar Chapman II

From the time he was a little boy, Kendrick LeMar Chapman was an independent thinker with a mind of his own. Outgoing, funny and charismatic, he was loyal to his family and friends alike. Nothing was more important to Kendrick than his family and he never passed up an opportunity to say “I love you.”

In 2001, Apple introduced its first iPod, Microsoft released the Xbox and Friends and Survivor were the hottest shows on TV. Osama Bin Laden became the most wanted person in the world, while Rudy Giuliani was hailed as “Man of the Year” for his handling of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York. For Yolanda Moss and Kendrick LeMar Chapman, 2001 was a year of great promise as they anxiously awaited the birth of their newest family member. On the morning of October 18, 2001, Kendrick Lamar Chapman II made his appearance at Lakeland Hospital in Niles, Michigan. It was a beautiful, warm fall day and several aunts and grandparents were there to there to greet him. An adorable baby, he was born with a full head of hair!

Kendrick’s easy-going personality was apparent from the beginning. He was a good-natured baby who rarely fussed. His aunts and uncles doted on him and many had their own nicknames for him. However, his dad always called him Newbie and that was the nickname that stuck and that he preferred.

As a youngster, Kendrick always looked up to his older brother, Myles and, like a typical little brother, he loved to tag along, no matter what Myles was doing. Some of Kendrick’s most memorable times were seeing his dad and brother out on the Haines family farm. He loved spending time there, and because he was a boy through and through, he never shied away from getting dirty.

Kendrick’s world was forever changed when, at the age of 5, he experienced the loss of his father. Profoundly impacted by his father’s death, Kendrick turned to the Journeys Program through hospice to help him cope with the loss. With his family’s love and support, he was able to move forward, but he would never truly recover from the loss of his father.

Family was always important to Kendrick and extended family played an important part in his life as well. He loved to travel to cities with his grandmother and she was well acquainted with his adventurous spirit. As a result, she always made sure he was dressed in bright colored clothes when they traveled together so when he wandered off to explore, he was a little easier to find!

Along with his family, Kendrick moved to Kalamazoo where he attended Indian Prairie and Martin Luther King Elementary Schools, Linden Grove Middle School and Kalamazoo Central. When not in school, he could be found hanging out with friends, playing baseball, following sports or playing video games. Trips to Michigan Adventure were always a highlight of Kendrick’s summer as were trips to Lake Michigan to enjoy the beautiful beaches and sparkling blue (frigid!) water. In his quieter moments, he enjoyed watching Dora the Explorer when he was younger and Spiderman, Stranger Things and Criminal Minds as he got a little older. Watching bull riding was another of his favorite pastimes. The books that he enjoyed were Peter and the Wolf, Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Calvin and Hobbes.

Kendrick’s taste in music was extremely varied. His favorite rapper of the decade was Juice World and he also enjoyed Toby Mac. Kendrick even sang in the youth choir and was active at Bible Baptist Church. Technology also piqued his interest and as a result, he became quite the technology whiz!

While attending Kalamazoo Central High School, Kendrick met a young woman named Brooklyn Delor. After getting to know her better, Kendrick realized that he had found his soulmate. He was also blessed to have a close circle of friends who were like brothers to him and fiercely loyal to each other.

Family played a significant role in Kendrick’s life and being together with family meant the world to him. His Mimi and Pawpaw played a significant role in his life and his Mother had an unconditional love for him. A snuggle bug throughout his life he loved to cuddle. As you can imagine, he was beyond thrilled to discover that he and Brooklyn would be adding to their own little family with baby Delilah due to arrive in June.

Loving and thoughtful, Kendrick Chapman was one of a kind. His great sense of humor, his love for the color of red, his adventurous spirit and easy laugh will live on in the hearts of the family and friends who were so dear to him. He was deeply loved and will always be remembered.

Sadly, Kendrick Chapman died unexpectedly on May 18, 2021. Members of his family include his mother, Yolanda Moss; brother, Myles Crittendon; Grandparents, William and Pamela Chapman; Aunts, Ursula and Andrew Chapman-Larson, Regina Lucas, Carla Hill, Debra Pigge, Felicia Anderson, Estelle Moss, Melissa Lipscomb, and Tinita Moore; Uncles, William Howell, Tod Walker, Dwane West, David Moss; Partner, Brooklyn Delor and expected daughter, Delilah, nieces Aimya Louise Crittendon, Amara Lynn Crittendon and Londynn Ivy Crittendon. He is also survived by his cousin Magnolia Chapman-Larson as well as many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Kendrick LeMar Chapman; grandparents, John and Rosie Moore; and cousin, Ezekiel Chapman-Larson.

Visit with family and friends on Sunday, May 23, 2021 from 5-7 pm at the Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. Private Services will be streamed on Monday at 2 pm. Kendrick will be buried next to his Father in the Calvin Center Cemetery. Please visit Kendrick’s personal web page at www.BetzlerLifeStory.com, where you can read his life story, archive a favorite memory or photo and sign his online guestbook before coming to the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Journeys program through Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan or to a trust fund for Delilah Chapman. Make checks payable to “Old National Bank in Memory of Kendrick Chapman”