Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
NameNorval Franklin CLAPP Jr. 
404, Norval Frank Clapp-Male-1924 – 5 February 2013- •-G9NM-QKL,470, Norval Franklin Clapp Jr.
404, Norval Frank Clapp-Male-1924 – 5 February 2013- •-G9NM-QKL,470, Norval Franklin Clapp Jr.BirthMar 10, 1924, El Campo, Wharton County, Texas404, Norval Frank Clapp-Male-1924 – 5 February 2013- •-G9NM-QKL,470, Norval Franklin Clapp Jr.
DeathFeb 5, 2013, Texas404, Norval Frank Clapp-Male-1924 – 5 February 2013- •-G9NM-QKL,470, Norval Franklin Clapp Jr.
BurialSealy Cemetery, Sealy, Austin County, Texas404, Norval Frank Clapp-Male-1924 – 5 February 2013- •-G9NM-QKL,470, Norval Franklin Clapp Jr.
FlagsUS Army, US Coast Guard
FatherSgt. Norval Franklin CLAPP Sr. (1888-1970)
MotherHertha Anna JORDAN (1895-1987)
Obituary Online notes for Norval Franklin CLAPP Jr.
Norval F. Clapp Jr, of El Campo, passed away on February 5, 2013 at the age of 88. He was born March 10, 1924 in El Campo, Wharton County, Texas to N.F. "Nod" Clapp Sr and Hertha Anna (Jordan) Clapp. He was the only child born to that union.
He attended El Campo public schools, being graduated with honors in 1941. Enrolling at Texas A&M in the fall of 1941, he dropped out at the end of the first semester after the United States entered World War II and returned home to try to enlist in the Marine Corps as his father had done in the First World War, but because of his age (17) he was told to wait until he was 18 and could be called up. He was inducted into the Army on his 19th birthday in 1943 and served with Hq. Co. 2nd Bn. 303rd Inf. 97th Division in Europe and Japan.
Returning to Texas in 1946, Clapp again enrolled at Texas A&M and received a B.S. degree in Floriculture in 1949. He was employed as an assistant plant pathologist at the Tyler experiment station following his graduation. He later owned floral and nursery businesses in El Campo and Ganado.
In 1956 he became editor of the El Campo Citizen newspaper and for the next two years served as reporter, columnist and editor.
While serving as secretary of the El Campo Jaycees, Clapp was named Outstanding Local Secretary by the Texas Jaycees in 1956, and served as President of the El Campo chapter in 1956-57. He was a member of the Jaycee Quartet, and with members Joe Richards, Frank Pineda and James Danielson sang for churches, stage shows and State Conventions of the Jaycees for several years.
He became a Master Mason in El Campo Lodge No. 918, A.F. & A.M. in 1947 and served as Worshipful Master of the Lodge in 1957-58. In 1993 he received the Golden Trowel Award, the highest honor that can be given by a local Lodge. He served as District Deputy Grand Master in 1995 and in 1998 was presented with the 50 year service award from the Grand Lodge of Texas, A.F. & A.M.
He served as High Priest of Ganado Chapter 482, Royal Arch Masons, as Thrice Illustrious Master of Ganado Council 395, Royal and Select Masters, and as District Deputy of both Grand Chapter and Council. In 1992 Clapp was chosen Commander of St. John Commandery No. 101, Knights Templar, of Victoria and in 1993 received the Knight York Cross of Honor from Rideout Priory No. 75 in Baytown for having served as head of the four York Rite bodies, Lodge, Chapter, Council and Commandery. He was awarded the Exalibur Award by St. John Commandery No. 101 in 2001.
Clapp held permanent membership (retired status) in the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, where he served as commander of El Campo Flotilla 69 in 1966-67 and was commissioned an Admiral in the Texas Navy by Governor Preston Smith in 1970.
A member of El Campo Chapter 535, Order of the Eastern Star, Clapp served three terms as Worthy Patron.
Clapp served from 1958 to 1964 on the City Council of El Campo, and served two terms as chairman of the Appraisal Review Board of the Wharton County Central Appraisal District.
Christened at birth in the First Methodist Episcopal Church South in El Campo, he sang in the choirs of both the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches during his younger years.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A private burial will be held at the Sealy City Cemetery. 470, Norval Franklin Clapp Jr.
He attended El Campo public schools, being graduated with honors in 1941. Enrolling at Texas A&M in the fall of 1941, he dropped out at the end of the first semester after the United States entered World War II and returned home to try to enlist in the Marine Corps as his father had done in the First World War, but because of his age (17) he was told to wait until he was 18 and could be called up. He was inducted into the Army on his 19th birthday in 1943 and served with Hq. Co. 2nd Bn. 303rd Inf. 97th Division in Europe and Japan.
Returning to Texas in 1946, Clapp again enrolled at Texas A&M and received a B.S. degree in Floriculture in 1949. He was employed as an assistant plant pathologist at the Tyler experiment station following his graduation. He later owned floral and nursery businesses in El Campo and Ganado.
In 1956 he became editor of the El Campo Citizen newspaper and for the next two years served as reporter, columnist and editor.
While serving as secretary of the El Campo Jaycees, Clapp was named Outstanding Local Secretary by the Texas Jaycees in 1956, and served as President of the El Campo chapter in 1956-57. He was a member of the Jaycee Quartet, and with members Joe Richards, Frank Pineda and James Danielson sang for churches, stage shows and State Conventions of the Jaycees for several years.
He became a Master Mason in El Campo Lodge No. 918, A.F. & A.M. in 1947 and served as Worshipful Master of the Lodge in 1957-58. In 1993 he received the Golden Trowel Award, the highest honor that can be given by a local Lodge. He served as District Deputy Grand Master in 1995 and in 1998 was presented with the 50 year service award from the Grand Lodge of Texas, A.F. & A.M.
He served as High Priest of Ganado Chapter 482, Royal Arch Masons, as Thrice Illustrious Master of Ganado Council 395, Royal and Select Masters, and as District Deputy of both Grand Chapter and Council. In 1992 Clapp was chosen Commander of St. John Commandery No. 101, Knights Templar, of Victoria and in 1993 received the Knight York Cross of Honor from Rideout Priory No. 75 in Baytown for having served as head of the four York Rite bodies, Lodge, Chapter, Council and Commandery. He was awarded the Exalibur Award by St. John Commandery No. 101 in 2001.
Clapp held permanent membership (retired status) in the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, where he served as commander of El Campo Flotilla 69 in 1966-67 and was commissioned an Admiral in the Texas Navy by Governor Preston Smith in 1970.
A member of El Campo Chapter 535, Order of the Eastern Star, Clapp served three terms as Worthy Patron.
Clapp served from 1958 to 1964 on the City Council of El Campo, and served two terms as chairman of the Appraisal Review Board of the Wharton County Central Appraisal District.
Christened at birth in the First Methodist Episcopal Church South in El Campo, he sang in the choirs of both the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches during his younger years.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A private burial will be held at the Sealy City Cemetery. 470, Norval Franklin Clapp Jr.