Gerald Chapin Obituary

Gerald Thomas Chapin

October 24, 1938 - June 9, 2025

Gerald T. Chapin a native of Elko, and lifetime resident of Northern Nevada passed away from a fatal heart attack while driving his ATV on the late afternoon of June 9. Jerry as he was known, was born in Elko on October 24, 1938 and was the youngest of five boys born to Ed Chapin and Alice McKnight Chapin. He grew up on ranches in Northern Nevada including the Saval Ranch at Northfork, the Hot Springs at Golconda and the Cord Ranch at Jiggs. Jerry's father died when Jerry was just eleven years old but his family continued to work there for two more years and then Jerry and his mother Alice moved to the Rancho Grande in Northfork working for W. H. Moffatt and then to the Osino Ranch. While in high school Jerry worked in Battle Mountain at the Twenty Five Ranch during the summer months starting colts and also at the Elko stock yards after school doing the same.

Jerry learned to ride saddle broncs from his older brother Harold and both brothers were very competitive and successful in the rodeo arena winning many titles and influencing many young bronc riders that would come after them. Jerry married Patty Smith in 1958 and they had three sons, Kevin, Kyle and Kelly. Jerry and Patty and their sons worked on several ranches around Nevada and even Oregon before they moved to the YP Ranch where Jerry was the cow boss and they stayed for nine years. During that time Jerry was presented the opportunity and accepted the manager's position at the Muleshoe Ranch in Battle Mountain.

In December of 2001 after forty-three years of marriage, Jerry's wife Patty passed away. Jerry continued to manage the Muleshoe for another five years trying to decide what he was going to do now that he was alone and by himself. In February of 2006 he started a friendship with Karla Jones from Carlin who had been a longtime friend of the Chapin family. Later that year they were married and began a new life together. They remained at the Muleshoe for another ten years when they both retired in December of 2016. Jerry had managed the Muleshoe Ranch for a total of forty-one years and then his grandson Chase took over his position. This allowed Jerry to continue to be a part of that ranch which had consumed the majority of his life.

Jerry also worked as a Deputy Brand Inspector for the Nevada Department of Agriculture from 1977 until he passed away. He had worked a total of 48 years for the NDA.

Jerry and his wife Karla purchased some acreage just outside of Battle Mountain where they could keep their horses and continue to help their ranching neighbors and Jerry could continue to do brand inspections. This allowed both of them to live the lifestyle they both enjoyed.

Jerry was a son, brother, husband, father, cowboy, horseman and mentor to many. He was a gentle, humble man and was loved and respected by all who knew him.

Jerry was preceded in death by his first wife, Patty; parents, Ed and Alice Chapin and his brothers and sisters-in-law, George (Delma) Chapin, Charley (Lois) Chapin, Vernon (Judy) Chapin, Harold (Rita) Chapin. He is survived by his wife of nineteen years, Karla; his sons and their wives, Kevin (Nancy) Chapin, Kyle (Kim) Chapin, and son, Kelly Chapin; six grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews as well as brother-in-law, Bob (Betty) Smith.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Jerry on Wednesday, July 30 from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at the Western Folklife Center located at 501 Railroad Street in Elko, Nev. The Chapin family would like to thank the many friends of Jerry for their kind words and condolences.