John Stuart Chapman, 74, of Madison, Alabama, passed away on June 30, 2025, after a lengthy illness.

A native of Spartanburg, South Carolina, he was born on March 13, 1951 to Hugh Abel Chapman Jr. and Jean Jamieson Chapman. Virginia Asby Chapman was John's stepmother.

From an early age, John was drawn to flight. He built his first model airplanes at age 6, earned his pilot's license at 16, and worked at the local airport while still in high school.

He graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1973 with a degree in industrial engineering and moved to Huntsville, Alabama, the following year for work in the aerospace industry. He was involved with the Space Shuttle program almost since its inception. In 1980, he joined NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. He spent the next three decades working on the shuttle, holding nearly every post in the Shuttle Propulsion Office, including chief engineer, deputy manager, and business manager. He was also manager of the external tank project.

While receiving numerous awards throughout his career, he was notably recognized in 2008 by President George W. Bush for outstanding achievements at NASA with a Presidential Rank Award, one of the highest honors given to career federal employees. Earlier that year, he was recognized with the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal.

John is survived by his wife, Cynthia Hughes Chapman, and their two sons, Brian Chapman (Sarah) of Seattle and Cory Chainsman (Melanie) of Boston, stepbrothers Gilbert R. Asby, Jr., (Carrie) of Richmond, Virginia, and Thomas E. Asby (Kathy) of Tequesta, Florida, stepsister, Alice W. Asby of Cambridge, Massachusetts and his grandchildren Dorothy, Enzo, and Max.

John's lifelong love of "cheating gravity" never faded. He co-founded the Huntsville Soaring Club, owned multiple full-sized planes, and constructed dozens of model planes. He even proposed to Cindie while piloting a glider. In retirement, John enjoyed traveling, cooking, and reading about all manner of technological advances.

The family invites friends and family to a Celebration of Life on Monday, September 15,at the Haven, 627 Meridian Street North, in downtown Huntsville, Alabama. Visitation will be from 4:00-5:00 pm with a service following from 5:00-6:00 pm. A private burial will be held at Maple Hill Cemetery