David Byers Clapper

David Byers Clapper, 73, of Meyersdale, passed peacefully in his sleep at home on October 24, 2020 after a courageous battle with brain cancer. David was born on January 26, 1947 to Robert G. and Doris (Byers) Clapper, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Sharon Campbell Clapper; son Joshua David Clapper (Meghan Pressman) and grandchildren, Cairo and Moxie, of Los Angeles, CA; and son Jude Campbell Clapper (Andrea Blough) and grandchildren, Sage and Maxwell, of Taipei, Taiwan. He is also survived by a brother, Jon C Clapper (Sharon Seman Clapper) and a sister Kim M. Clapper (Elwin “Woody” Miller), both of Meyersdale.

David was the proud third-generation president and owner of Clapper’s Building Materials, Inc. which was started by his grandfather Carl R. Clapper in 1925 and joined by his son Robert G Clapper in the 1940’s. David retired in 2019 after 52 years of service and the family business closed after 94 years of serving the community. He was also vice president of Clapper Industries, Inc which was sold and became Clapper Table Enterprises, LLC in 2018.

David graduated from Meyersdale Joint High School in 1964 and attended Bridgewater College in Virginia. As a life-long resident of Meyersdale, Dave was continually active in community service promoting Meyersdale and avidly supporting “buy local.” He belonged to numerous service organizations. He was a member of the former Meyersdale Jaycees, the Meyersdale Elks Lodge #1951, twice past-president of the Lions Club, a charter member of the Meyersdale Area Historical Society, a member of the advisory board of the Community Foundation of the Alleghenies Meyersdale Wind Fund, an active supporter of the Meyersdale Renaissance, Inc. Streetscape Project, a member of the Meyersdale Merchants Association and the former Meyersdale Chamber of Commerce. He was also a board member of the former Citizens National Bank and member of the Meyersdale Church of the Brethren. Awards included the Community Service Awards from the Meyersdale Renaissance, Inc. and the Lions Club as well as Business of the Year for Clapper’s Building Materials by the Meyersdale Merchants Association in 2019.

Dave also loved to travel, including exploring many destinations in 5 continents with family and friends. Some notable trips were an African Safari, visiting grandchildren in Taiwan, and scuba diving in the Australian Great Barrier Reef. His absolute favorite destination, that he returned to many times over the years with his sons and friends to scuba dive, was Grand Turk Island in Turks and Caicos where the locals considered him part of the “family.” Everyone who met Dave was soon treated to photos of his sons and grandchildren, whom he adored, as well as stories about his trips to Grand Turk. Every year at the Maple Festival, the “grand grill master” could be found flipping pancakes for thousands of visitors who came to the town. He treasured his mint-condition 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge classic car and gave his time generously to help countless friends with various projects that are too numerous to name. Dave was known for his wide smile, his gregarious friendly nature, and his ability to make people laugh. His motto which certainly came true was, “I try to make a new friend wherever I go.”

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Vicki Mauzy, his beloved cousin, who helped care for him.

Memorial contributions may be given to Meyersdale Lions Club, P.O. Box 194, Meyersdale,PA 15552.

Tributes may be made at the Price Funeral Service website: williamroweprice.com. Due to the extraordinary times with health restrictions, a memorial service will be held at a later time.

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