Richard Edward Clapp

Richard Edward Clapp, born May 31, 1944, passed peacefully into heaven on Monday, April 24, 2023, at The Pointe at Lifespring.  He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army, serving as a Specialist 5 Heavy Equipment Operator with the 169th Combat Engineers in Fort Stewart, Georgia, Okinawa Japan, and South Vietnam.  He was a highly decorated serviceman, receiving several commendations, some of which included awards for Combat Service, Good Conduct, Overseas Service, Honorable Service, Vietnam Service, and Cold War Victory.  He always wore a Vietnam or Army Veteran hat, and when strangers would thank him for his service, his response was always “Thank you, I’d do it again!”  Richard retired from the Tennessee Valley Authority after 24 years of service where he was the head boat mechanic at Norris, Tennessee.  He was an avid hunter and fisherman, was a big NASCAR fan, loved and owned several classic cars, motorcycles, and boats, and traveled all over the country with his wife Fay enjoying the beauty and nature of the country he loved and served.  Richard grew up in City View Baptist Church and moved to First Baptist Church of Dandridge when he and Fay moved to Douglas Lake.  Fay was the perfect wife for Richard, she loved and supported him in every way and took excellent care of him until her passing in 2020 after a courageous battle with cancer.  Her family became Richard’s family.  Even as Richard’s memory faded in recent years, he would still ask about Fay—his love for her never ended.  Richard was also very fortunate to have a wonderful brother in Steve as his caregiver the last 3.5 years—they developed a very close bond and Steve was there most every day to be sure Richard received the best of care and knew he was loved and valued. Richard was preceded in death by his wife of 35 years Fay Bright Clapp, his parents Clyde and Kathleen Clapp, and infant brother Carroll Clapp.  Survivors include special brother and caregiver Steve (Karen) Clapp, brother Phil (Jan) Clapp, stepdaughter Debbi (Mike) Ray, stepson Tommy (Denise) Holbert, granddaughters Laurie (Kyle) Benton, Michelle (Jason) Bagwell, and Danielle (Dylan) Hensley, great grandchildren Jake and Phillip Bagwell and Taylor and Kayla Benson; nephews Jim (Suzanne) Clapp, Patrick (Alison) Clapp, and Tyler Clapp, niece Mandy Clapp, great nieces Jaycie and Addison Clapp, special aunt Lucille Rayburn, and several special cousins and their families. The family will receive friends Thursday, April 27 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Mynatt Funeral Home—Fountain City. Graveside service will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 28 at Greenwood Cemetery with full military honors.  Memorial gifts may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS  66675-8516 or woundedwarriorproject.org.  The family wishes to express their deep appreciation to the staff of The Pointe at Lifespring--Generations for their love and support of Richard (and Steve) for 3.5 years and through very difficult circumstances during the COVID-19 pandemic.