Kenneth Chapman was a valued salesman at Uvalco Farm and Ranch Store for over 40 years. He used his impeccable values, experience, know-how, and tremendous work ethic to guide his fellow farmers and ranchers. His intellect and ranching background gave him the ability to analyze what the customers wanted and design a plan to meet their needs long before the days of technology and online purchasing. Kenneth was not a man of many words, but his abilities and interests were surprisingly many and varied.
Kenneth grew up being his father’s right-hand man on their 700-acre ranch north of Sabinal. After attaining a degree in Agriculture Mechanics from Texas A & I in Kingsville, the Sabinal native and his bride, Alice, returned home. He found work at A & M Research and Extension Center in Uvalde for about five years. He caught the attention of Pete Knowles, who enticed Kenneth to make a change and work for his company, Gensco, in the farm and ranch division. Five years later Luis and Carper Capt bought the farm and ranch business and the name changed to Uvalco. Kenneth loyally stayed through that and several changes in ownership.
Kenneth worked in the days when most of the farm and ranch customers did not come into the physical store. Customers got to know their sales representatives. In one phone call, they knew their salesman would ship them all the materials they needed for a specific job. Former Uvalco owner Carper Capt admits, “We were all pre-computer in those days. People expected to talk to a person. The relationship you had with your customers and your suppliers was the most important thing. Kenneth’s customers knew that he had the knowledge and confidence to guide them.” Alice, his wife, says that he lived, breathed, and ate Uvalco. He was of the generation that you just did your job, regardless of how much time it required. There was no such thing as overtime. Going the extra mile was an expectation.
Bill Ruhmann, former Uvalco manager, states, “Kenneth’s knowledge of sales trends and purchasing came from years of buying and selling to the local clientele. He was skilled in all the uses of the products we sold because he used them on his ranch.”
What his customers may not have known is that Kennethhad expansive interests and abilities outside the farm and ranch store. His love of sports led him to coach his son, Lucas, to win state in shot put. He also coached two granddaughtersin the sport. Granddaughters Taylor and Kamryn followed right in their father’s successful footsteps. He played the guitar and spent years with his son Todd helping to develop Todd’s acoustical and classic guitar skills. Kenneth also loved collecting a variety of antiques from furniture to guns and knives. He was a skilled hunter, up until he became too fond of watching the animals instead of killing them. He built beautiful mesquite tables and fireplace mantles. He taught himself how to hand-craft hunting knives and taught this skill to one of his grandsons, Will.
Unfortunately, after a fierce battle with cancer, Kenneth Chapman passed away from this life on January 1, 2024. He left behind Alice, his wife of 52 years, and a work ethic evident in his sons, Lucas and Todd, as well as his grandchildren. Brad Farr, former co-owner of Uvalco, reflects, “I truly valued him and his knowledge, expertise, experience, and advice. He was one of a kind and I will miss him.” Kenneth was a dominant figure in the lives of his family, his friends, and his loyal customers. He was the real deal.