Obituary for
Mark Wayne Clapp
Mark Wayne Clapp
1935-2022
Mark, 86, of Kingwood, Texas, went to be with his heavenly Father on September 2, 2022. He was born on November 29, 1935, in Frederick, Oklahoma, to the late Charles and Adell Clapp. The late Kenneth Clapp was his devoted older brother. The family of four moved to Borger, Texas, a petrochemical boom town in the panhandle, in 1940. Mark graduated from Borger High School in 1954 after participating in sports and student government. He then followed his brother to West Texas State University (now West Texas A&M) in Canyon to accept a full football scholarship. Kenneth, as starting quarterback, handed off the ball to his freshman brother, Mark, in the Arizona game and followed him all the way to the endzone, making his first college touchdown a special memory. Mark was a member of the championship team that won the Tangerine Bowl (now the Citrus Bowl) in Orlando, Florida on January 1, 1957. He graduated from WT in 1958 but not before meeting his future wife, Carolyn, on campus as she was checking her mail at the campus post office. Mark served in the US Army after graduation. While working full time and helping to raise a young family he obtained his Masters degree in 1969 from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio.
Mark’s professional career was in education and after teaching and coaching in Borger and Canyon school districts he began a career using technology in classrooms to enhance learning. In 1965 he began using simulators in the classroom to teach drivers education eventually going to work for Singer Link selling simulators across the country. The last 25-years of his careers was spent in the early development of distant learning, first by using microwave technology and then satellites. Mark retired in 2000 just as computers and online learning were entering the classroom. During his tenure he belonged to a number of educational organizations and committees at the state and national levels. Every co-worker and employee have fond memories of his leadership and mentorship.
Mark was a member of the Society of Mayflower Descendants, a founding member of Kingwood United Methodist Church, where he served as the first administrative board chair and numerous positions of community service. He was active in the development of youth sports in Kingwood and an early member of the Trailwood Village board taking an avid interest in the swimming pool and park areas. He was the first scout master of Kingwood’s Troop 1377 - Boy Scouts of America.
Mark’s survivors are his wife, Carolyn, of 63 years, sons Michael (Laura) and Mark D. (Christy) of Kingwood, daughter Marcy (Greg) Barkemeyer of North Richland Hills, Texas; his seven grandchildren affectionately called him “Huck” – Taylor Clapp, Marshall (Krissy) Clapp, Ashlea (Tyler) Armstrong, Capt. Blake (Kristin) Barkemeyer, Amber (Brandon) Mehaffey, Allison Barkemeyer (Sean Walsh, fiancé) and Alyse Clapp; and five great-grandchildren – Emmy and Noah Armstrong, Miles and Silas Clapp, and Grey Mehaffey. Also, nephew Steve (Denise) Clapp and niece Stacey (Lonnie) Junnell, dear cousins, staunch teammates and devoted friends.
Mark loved life and he loved people. He loved his family and went out of the way to attend every school event, practice or competition – kids and grandkids alike. His great sense of humor and his uncanny gift of storytelling made him a favorite. He loved the flag, his family, football and his sustaining faith. His recovery efforts from his severe stroke over ten years ago exemplified his character which had been his hallmark for his lifetime.
Mark’s services will be handled by Rosewood Funeral Home, 2602 So. Houston Ave, Humble, TX 77396. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 7th, from 4:30 p.m. -6:30 p.m. Interment for family and close friends will be at Rosewood Funeral Home & Cemetery in Humble on the morning of September 8th followed by a Memorial Service at Kingwood United Methodist Church, 1799 Woodland Hills Dr., Kingwood at 2:00 p.m. – reception afterwards.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Society of St. Stephen (kingwoodumc.org/give) or the charity of your choice.