Joe Allen Clapp

Long-time Alaskan, Joe Allen Clapp, 99, passed away October 24, 2019 at home. A Memorial Celebration with military honors will be held November 11 at 1 pm, at the Anchorage Church of Christ, 2700 DeBarr Road. Joe was born in Midway, TX on January 17, 1920. He graduated from Abilene Christian University in 1941, and received his Masters Degree from Sam Houston University in 1963. Joe married Irene Johnson July 4, 1941. Soon after, he and Irene settled in Dallas TX, where he worked at North American Aviation, and trained as a B-29 mechanic. He served in India and on Tinian Island during World War II, and also served stateside during the Korean War. He and Irene and their two daughters moved to Alaska from Texas in 1961. He taught fifth grade in Anchorage at Creekside Park, and at Chester Valley, while Irene taught at Nunaka Valley, and Homestead Elementary. He homesteaded in Wasilla in the late 1960s, and the Clapp Road connection between Knik Goose Bay Road and the Parks Highway is named for him. He lost his wife Irene in 2006, and later married Maxine Wright of Texas; Maxine past away in 2016. At the time of his death, Joe lived with his daughter Judy in Anchorage. Joe is survived by his daughters Judith Ann Michael (David) of Anchorage, and Jan Elizabeth Johnson (Craig) of Kingsland, TX., as well as six grandchildren: His first wife of 64 years, Irene; his second wife of 9 years, Maxine; and his brother, Wilfred Robbins Clapp, preceded him in death. He is survived by his daughters Judith Ann Michael (David) of Anchorage, and Jan Elizabeth Johnson (Craig) of Kingsland, TX; six grandchildren: Joe W. Michael (Amber) of Anchorage, Ann Elizabeth Tomko (David) of Prince George, VA; James D. Michael (Neve), of Palmer; Carrie Williams, of Midwest City OK; Melissa Green (Dan) of Granbury TX; and Bonnie Russell (Brandon), of Granbury TX; as well as thirteen great- grandchildren: Alison and Tucker Michael; Brenden, Kaitlin, and Aiden Wilks; Landen, Melody, and Arthur Michael; Ashlyn and Will Green; Brantley and Brooke Russell; and Miles Tomko.