T. Chance Chapman
| Home Commandery: | Port Arthur No. 73 | |
| Year Served: | 2023 | |
| Born: | July 11th, 1989 |
2023 Officer Corps
Tommy Chance Chapman was born on July 11, 1989, in Nederland, Texas, to Tommy and Kathy Chapman. He attended school at Nederland ISD, and graduated from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, in 2011, where he earned a degree in accounting. At Lamar University, he was a member of the Accounting Society and Beta Alpha Psi, an Accounting Honors society. Upon graduating, he was employed by the City of Beaumont as an accountant until 2018, when he went to work in the private sector. Currently is the Comptroller of M&M Industrial Services, Inc.
Brother Chapman was initiated into the Order of DeMolay in Nederland Chapter No. 3616, in 2001. He was installed as Master Councilor the following year and was awarded the Past Master Councilors – Meritorious Service Award. Brother Chapman has been awarded the Representative DeMolay Award, the Founders Membership Award, the Blue Honor Key, the Distinguished Service Award, and has successfully completed the Leadership Correspondence Course. He was honored to serve Texas DeMolay Association as District Deputy State Master Councilor in 2003 and 2004. He was elected to serve as State Senior Councilor in 2005, Deputy State Master Councilor in 2006, and on July 21, 2007, Brother Chapman was elected and installed as the 78th State Master Councilor of the Texas DeMolay Association.
In 2006, Sir Knight Chapman was invested into the Chivalric Knights of the Holy Order of the Fellow Soldiers of Jacques DeMolay Houston Priory No. 94. He was installed as Illustrious Knight Commander in 2009. On July 11th of that year, he was installed as the 61st State Illustrious Knight Commander of the Texas State Priory.
Brother Chapman was elevated to the rank and honor of Chevalier in 2007. He is a Past Commander of Golden Triangle Court of Chevaliers and served as State Commander of the Texas State Court of Chevaliers in 2016. Additionally, in 2016 he was invested with the active Legion of Honor. He was a founding member of Edward E. Chapman, Sr. Preceptory (named in honor of his grandfather) and has continued to serve as Secretary since its founding. He received the Cross of Honor in 2019.
Dad Chapman has served Texas DeMolay Association as State Scribe since 2011 and has served as State Registrar of the Texas State Priory since 2017. He was honored with the Guild of the Leather Apron in 2015. He was appointed District Governor in 2017 and was elected a Deputy Member of the International Supreme Council in 2021.
Brother Chapman was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in Nederland Lodge No. 1368 in 2007. He served Nederland Lodge at Worshipful Master in 2014. The members of Nederland Lodge honored him with the Golden Trowel Award in 2018. In 2019 he was elected president of the Southeast Texas Masters, Wardens, and Secretaries Association.
Brother Chapman has served the Grand Lodge of Texas in multiple capacities. He was appointed District Deputy Grand Master of Masonic District No. 26-A in 2017. He served as Grand Senior Deacon in 2018 and Grand Marshal in 2022. He has served various committees of the Grand Lodge including the Youth Activities Committee, where he served as chairman in 2017, 2018, and 2021; the Special Assignments Committee; and the Grievance and Appeals Committee. In 2018 he was appointed Grand Representative of California near the Grand Lodge of Texas. He served as Assistant State Coordinator in 2018 and as State Coordinator in 2022. Brother Chapman is a proud recipient of both the William M. Beck Award (2019) and the Sam Houston Award (2023).
Companion Chapman was exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Port Neches Chapter No. 436 in 2007. He was elected and installed as High Priest in 2012 and received the Order of the High Priesthood that year. The Companions of Port Neches Chapter honored him with the Cornerstone Award in 2017. He was appointed District Deputy Grand High Priest of Capitular District No. 5 in 2014. He also served as Excellent Grand Captain of the Host in 2015; Excellent Grand Royal Arch Captain in 2013 and 2017; and Excellent Grand Marshal in 2021. He is currently serving as State Coordinator in 2023 and previously served in 2013 and 2021. In the Order of High Priesthood, he is currently serving as Excellent Master of Ceremonies.
Companion Chapman was greeted a Royal and Select Master in Port Neches Council No. 413 in 2007. He was elected and installed as Thrice Illustrious Master in 2011 and received the Order of the Silver Trowel that year. He was presented with the Cryptic Triangle Award in 2014. He was appointed District Deputy Grand Master of Cryptic District No. 5 in 2013, Illustrious Grand Captain of the Guards in 2016, Illustrious Grand Conductor of the Council in 2021, and Grand Representative of Idaho near the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Texas in 2013. He served on the Recognitions, Honors, and Awards Committee from 2014 to 2019. In 2017, he was elected as a Director of the York Rite Development Fund Board of Directors and served as President in 2021 and 2022. He also served as State Coordinator in 2021 and 2023.
Sir Knight Chapman was knighted in Port Arthur Commandery No. 73 in 2008. He was installed as Eminent Commander in 2011 and joined Texas Chapter of the Sovereign Order of Knights Preceptor that same year alongside his father and grandfather. During his tenure as Eminent Commander, he was awarded the Commanders Distinguished Service Medal, and Port Arthur Commandery was awarded the J. C. Kidd Award. He was appointed to serve as Grand Representative of Panama near the Grand Commandery of Texas in 2015 and served on the Long-Range Planning Committee from 2013-2017.In 2014, Sir Knight Chapman was elected Grand Sentinel of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Texas and was installed as the Right Eminent Grand Commander on April 16, 2023. In addition to serving the Grand Commandery, he serves the Sir Knights of Texas as an officer in Texas Chapter of the Sovereign Order of Knights Preceptor.
Sir Knight Chapman was appointed as an Aide-de-Camp to the Right Eminent Grand Generalissimo, at the Triennial Conclave of the Grand Encampment of the United States of America in August 2021. Additionally, in the Grand Encampment he serves on the Membership Committee and DeMolay Committee.
Companion Chapman is an active member in various invitational bodies of the York Rite. He is a Past Governor of Southeast Texas York Rite College No. 90. He is a member of San Felipe Conclave, Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine, Sam Houston Council No. 275, Allied Masonic Degrees, and Anson Jones Council No. 47 Knight Masons.
Brother Chapman was elevated to the 32nd Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite in Galveston in 2009. He has served the Valley of Galveston as Degree Master of the 28th Degree and also serves on the 6th and 15th degree teams.
Noble Chapman is a member of El Mina Shriners in Galveston. He served as President of the Mid-Jefferson County Shrine Club in 2018 and has served as Secretary since 2020. In the Enchanted Realm, Prophet Chapman is a member of Cashan Grotto.
Brother Chapman was initiated into Nederland Chapter No. 1079, Order of the Eastern Star in 2007. He is a Past Patron and was a longtime Treasurer. He served the Grand Chapter on the Young Americans and Faith in Our Future Committees, both being associated with promoting the Masonic Youth of Texas, and also on the Picnic on the Brazos Committee. In 2017, he served as District 4 Chairman of the Masonic Family Committee.
Chance lives in Nederland and is a member Hillcrest Baptist Church. He enjoys Houston Astros baseball, live music, and traveling with his fiance, Lisa.