Charles R Clapp peacefully passed from this life April 6, 2018, from a lingering illness in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Ray, as most of his friends and family knew him, was a beloved father, husband, grandfather and friend. Ray was so full of love and life and always had a tall-tale to tell. He also had a striking resemblance to Santa Claus and delighted and enchanted many children throughout the years.
Ray was born March 3, 1937 in Idaho Falls to David Eugene Clapp and Cleah (Teed) Lucille Lindsey Clapp. He lost his father in 1943 and gained a stepfather Charles D. (Chick) Clark in 1944. He married Lillian Reisner in 1961. Ray and Lili had four children, Eugene (Blue) Clapp (deceased), Heidi Clapp Jarmon (Chris) of Las Cruces, New Mexico; Dr. Benjamin Clapp (Luz) of El Paso, Texas; Gretchen Luckey (Mike) of Georgetown, Texas; and seven beloved grandchildren, Jose, Diego, Mariana, Cameron, Lily, Lauren and Danielle. He had four brothers, Bill Clapp, Ted Clapp, Lynn Clapp, and Frank Clapp. He had two step-brothers, Boyd Clark, Lee Clark, and three step sisters Dorothy Hall, Lois Coulier and Barbara Hancock.
Ray attended grade school at York Elementary south of Idaho Falls and high school in Idaho Falls. He loved horses and cowboys and got to spend much time dabbling in both. He worked as a guard for the National Reactor Testing Station and attended Idaho State University while serving in the Army National guard.
After he graduated college he went full time in the Army as an officer. While serving two tours in Vietnam with the Medical Service Corps, he earned a Bronze Star.
In 1975, Ray accepted an assignment in Pirmasens, Germany, and this is where he raised his family for 10 wonderful years. The family traveled extensively and took advantage of all that Germany had to offer. He retired as a Major from the Army while in Germany and took a position with the Civil Service as a programmer so the family could stay in Germany longer. The family returned to the US in 1986, relocating to El Paso, Texas, and later Las Cruces, New Mexico. Ray first worked at Ft. Bliss and finally White Sands Missile Range until his retirement from the Army Reserves as a Lt. Colonel.
In 1993, Ray unexpectedly lost his beloved wife, Lili. Luckily, Ray was able to find love again and married Betty Miller in 1994. Ray and Betty spent the last 24 years living happily in Las Cruces, helping to raise his beloved grandchildren Lily and Cam. Throughout his illnesses, Betty never left his side and was with him to the end. Ray was preceded in death by his mother, father, stepfather, wife Lili, son Eugene, brother Bill, step brother Lee, and his stepsisters Dorothy, Lois and Barbara.
Services will be held at Marsh Valley Funeral Home, 570 North Meadowview Dr., Arimo Idaho on Monday April 16, 2018, at 11 a.m.. Burial to follow at Downey Cemetery.
Published in Post Register Apr. 14, 2018
Charles R Clapp peacefully passed from this life April 6, 2018, from a lingering illness in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Ray, as most of his friends and family knew him, was a beloved father, husband, grandfather and friend. Ray was so full of love and life and always had a tall-tale to tell. He also had a striking resemblance to Santa Claus and delighted and enchanted many children throughout the years.
Ray was born March 3, 1937 in Idaho Falls to David Eugene Clapp and Cleah (Teed) Lucille Lindsey Clapp. He lost his father in 1943 and gained a stepfather Charles D. (Chick) Clark in 1944. He married Lillian Reisner in 1961. Ray and Lili had four children, Eugene (Blue) Clapp (deceased), Heidi Clapp Jarmon (Chris) of Las Cruces, New Mexico; Dr. Benjamin Clapp (Luz) of El Paso, Texas; Gretchen Luckey (Mike) of Georgetown, Texas; and seven beloved grandchildren, Jose, Diego, Mariana, Cameron, Lily, Lauren and Danielle. He had four brothers, Bill Clapp, Ted Clapp, Lynn Clapp, and Frank Clapp. He had two step-brothers, Boyd Clark, Lee Clark, and three step sisters Dorothy Hall, Lois Coulier and Barbara Hancock.
Ray attended grade school at York Elementary south of Idaho Falls and high school in Idaho Falls. He loved horses and cowboys and got to spend much time dabbling in both. He worked as a guard for the National Reactor Testing Station and attended Idaho State University while serving in the Army National guard.
After he graduated college he went full time in the Army as an officer. While serving two tours in Vietnam with the Medical Service Corps, he earned a Bronze Star.
In 1975, Ray accepted an assignment in Pirmasens, Germany, and this is where he raised his family for 10 wonderful years. The family traveled extensively and took advantage of all that Germany had to offer. He retired as a Major from the Army while in Germany and took a position with the Civil Service as a programmer so the family could stay in Germany longer. The family returned to the US in 1986, relocating to El Paso, Texas, and later Las Cruces, New Mexico. Ray first worked at Ft. Bliss and finally White Sands Missile Range until his retirement from the Army Reserves as a Lt. Colonel.
In 1993, Ray unexpectedly lost his beloved wife, Lili. Luckily, Ray was able to find love again and married Betty Miller in 1994. Ray and Betty spent the last 24 years living happily in Las Cruces, helping to raise his beloved grandchildren Lily and Cam. Throughout his illnesses, Betty never left his side and was with him to the end. Ray was preceded in death by his mother, father, stepfather, wife Lili, son Eugene, brother Bill, step brother Lee, and his stepsisters Dorothy, Lois and Barbara.
Services will be held at Marsh Valley Funeral Home, 570 North Meadowview Dr., Arimo Idaho on Monday April 16, 2018, at 11 a.m.. Burial to follow at Downey Cemetery.
Published in Post Register Apr. 14, 2018
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