Chappell Victor Rhino of Lavonia, Georgia died peacefully on August 15 at his home surrounded by all his family.
The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August 21 at 2:00 pm at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Toccoa, GA where he was a member. Reverend Father James Harrison and Reverend Father Vincent Sullivan will serve as celebrants. The family will receive friends at the church one hour before the service. He will be buried at the Lavonia City Cemetery in his wife's family plot. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church – 231 Rothell Rd, Toccoa GA 30577.
Chappell was born on July 27, 1930 in Cobleskill, New York. He was preceded in death by his parents, Chappell Patrick Rhino and Dorothy Kennedy Rhino and a brother Charles Patrick Rhino.
Survivors include his beloved wife Julia Walters Rhino. They were married on December 21, 1952 and had shared sixty-six years of marriage together. God blessed them with five wonderful children; four sons and one daughter who are all married and have families of their own. Randy and wife Missy of Atlanta, GA, Danny and wife Rhonda of Charlotte, NC, Vicky Ryder and husband Bobby of Marietta, GA, Tim and wife Julie of Cary, NC, and David and wife Karen of Lavonia, GA.
Nine grandchildren and their spouses. Randy Rhino Jr. and wife Sarah, Kelley Rhino and wife Laura, Mikal Rhino and wife Alyson, Caty McCoy and husband Patrick, Brian Rhino and wife Courtney, Michelle Rhino, Ryan Ryder, Lindsey and Reagan Rhino.
Eleven great grandchildren. Austin and twins Catherine and Morgan Rhino, Dallas, Bode and Stella Rhino, Gabriel, Phoebe and Graham Rhino, Jack and Charlie McCoy.
Chappell was a graduate of Marist High School in Atlanta, GA. While at Marist, he lettered in baseball, basketball, and football. In 1948 he was named "Most Valuable Back" of Atlanta by the Atlanta Touchdown Club. In 2004 he was inducted into the Marist School Blue and Gold Circle, honoring those who had made outstanding contributions to Marist Athletics. He received an athletic football scholarship to Georgia Tech and played for two undefeated teams in 1951 and 1952 under Coach Bobby Dodd. These teams played in the Orange Bowl and Sugar Bowl. Chappell was selected All SEC in baseball for two years and in 1974 was inducted into the Georgia Tech Baseball Hall of Fame. During his life he was always a loyal supporter of Georgia Tech and extremely proud that his family had three generations to play football at Georgia Tech; himself, two sons Randy and Danny and one grandson Kelley.
Upon graduation from Georgia Tech in 1954, he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the Army serving two years at Fort Bliss, TX during the Korean War. After his service, he was employed by Firestone Tire and Rubber Company for six years. In 1960 he joined Johnson & Johnson Baby Company and worked for this great company for twenty five years in Charlotte, NC and Atlanta, GA. In 1976 he was inducted into the Johnson & Johnson Sales Hall of Fame.
In 1985, Chappell and his wife Julia retired to the Walters' family farm in Lavonia, GA. He loved his life in the country. They enjoyed golf and traveling especially golfing trips with the Hartwell Golf Club, entertaining family and friends, and just being together.
The loves of Chappell's life were his faith in Jesus Christ, his family and the many friends he had made over his eighty-eight years. He will always be remembered as a great example of a father that believed in God, hard work, honesty, integrity, high morals, good sportsmanship and a desire to always "do your best". Over the years he loved coaching and instructing his sons and daughter as well as many other athletes. All those who knew and loved him are now left to cherish his memory.
Strickland Funeral Home of Lavonia is in charge of the arrangements. On-line condolences may be sent to the family at www.stricklandfh.com.