Carlos James Chappelle, the youngest child of Rev. Dr. T. Oscar Chappelle, Sr. and Elizabeth Cooley Chappelle, was born July 28, 1951, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Educated through the Tulsa Public School system, Carlos was a 1969 graduate of Central High School. While at Central, he was a member of the 1969 State Championship Basketball Team. He later earned undergraduate degrees from The University of Oklahoma, Norman (B.B.A., 1973) and Tulsa Junior College (A.A.S., 1974).

Carlos was a member of the Morning Star Baptist Church under the pastorates of his father and brother, Rev. Dr. T. Oscar Chappelle, Jr. Carlos was a strong supporter of the T. Oscar Chappelle, Sr. Scholarship Program which has assisted many young Morning Star members with their educational pursuits. He was also a lifetime member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

After having much success in the Tulsa business community as a nursing home director and real estate broker, Carlos's interest in politics and strong desire to better serve our community led him to The University of Tulsa's Law School where he earned his J.D. in 1980. He was in private practice for 14 years and a part-time instructor at the Tulsa Community College's Northeast Campus until being appointed to serve as a Special Judge (1995-2009). In October 2009 he was appointed as a District Judge, the position he held until his retirement in May 2015. Carlos was elected as a Presiding Judge in 2014, the first African-American to hold this position in Tulsa County.

Carlos received numerous awards and honors, including Best of TCC 2013. He also served on countless boards and commissions, and advocated for all citizens through his various professional memberships.

Personally, Carlos was a devoted fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and OU Sooners, attending games as often as possible. Boomer Sooner

Carlos was truly blessed and departed this life on June 28, 2015. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, brother, and sister, Flora Chappelle Williams.

He leaves to cherish his memory; one son, Stephen Kito Chappelle, Oklahoma City; two grandsons, Reginald Pearson and Porter Chappelle, both of Oklahoma City; three nephews, US Attorney Danny C. Williams, Sr. (Wendy), Tulsa, Dr. Thomas G. Williams (Ureka), Tulsa, and T. Oscar Chappelle III, Nashville, TN; two nieces, Danette Williams, Tulsa and Yvette Benson (Don), Greenville, MS; a host of great nieces and nephews, other loving relatives and friends.

Services will be Friday July 3, 2015 at 11AM at Morning Star Baptist Church in Tulsa.

Friends may visit Mr. Chappelle on Thursday from 10AM until 7PM in Tulsa.