Harry Patterson Clapp Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Harry Patterson Clapp went to be with the Lord on Saturday June 25, just a few weeks before his 99th birthday. He was born on July 23, 1923. He passed peacefully, at home, with the support of caregivers and hospice. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Patricia, son David and his siblings Helen Causey, Esther Livengood Irby, Eleanor Lambert, and stepbrother G.W. Patrick. Harry was born and raised, and then spent his “golden” years, within a few hundred yards along Clapp Farms Road. He was baptized at Mt Pleasant United Methodist Church and will be buried there between his late wife Patricia and his mother Annie, with his father John Patterson and grandparents further down the row. But in the intervening years, he literally went around the world. Following his callup during WWII from NC State’s ROTC program to active duty in the US Army, he was shipped to the Philippines, preparatory to the invasion of Japan, and when that didn’t occur was part of the occupying army of Japan. Upon his return he completed his postponed college education with the help of the GI Bill, graduating from NC State in 1947 with a degree in Civil Engineering. He then worked in railroad-related engineering positions in Indiana, Pittsburgh, and McLean VA, with trips for projects in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Mexico City, among others. He stayed very engaged with his profession even after retirement. He was a doting and caring father to three children, Jeffrey, David, and Jean. Jeff and Jean have made their own way in the world, while David, a special needs person who held a job all his life, lived at home with his parents’ love and support until his passing in 2021. Harry came from a long line of farmers, dating back his ancestor’s immigration to the US in the 1700s. But as one of his nephews once observed, his hand did not fit the plow well, and he went on to pursue his profession in engineering. But he maintained his connections with his birthplace and happily retired back to Clapp Farms Road. Along with his church involvement at Mt Pleasant, he was active in a number of local organizations, including the Lions Club of McLeansville, the Engineers Club of Greensboro, the Railway Historical Society, the Clapp Family Association, several boards of organizations serving the intellectually challenged, and the Rails/Trails organizations (presently operating as the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, which recently gave him special recognition for his contributions in converting abandoned rail line rights- of-way into hiking and biking trails). He is survived by his son Jeffrey Patterson (Lynn) Clapp of Pittsburgh, PA, daughter Jean (Tim) Groome of High Point, NC, Granddaughter Megan Clapp of Pittsburgh, PA, Grandson Brian Patterson (Barbie) Clapp & Great Granddaughter Samantha Clapp of Austin, TX and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The family is especially thankfully to Harry’s wonderful caregivers, Felecia Gilmer, nephew Mitchell Causey and LaTosha Irving. They, along with AuthoraCare of Greensboro in his final weeks, made it possible for him to remain at home, as was his wish. The funeral service will be on Friday, July 1, at Mt Pleasant United Methodist Church in McLeansville. There will be a visitation starting at 1:00 with the service to follow at 2:00. Burial will be at Mt Pleasant. The service will be livestreamed via Facebook: Forbis & Dick Funeral Service. Harry had requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering at NC State University, noting the gift is in memory of Harry Clapp. Gifts may be made online: https://give.ncsu.edu/engineering , or to Mt Pleasant United Methodist Church.

Harry Patterson Clapp

July 23, 1923 - June 25, 2022