Kim Marie Clapper, age 67, passed away in her home in Amado, Arizona on June 22, 2022. Kim always remained positive during her 6 ½ years of various lung cancer treatments. She was preceded in death by her parents Doris (Byers) Clapper, Robert ("Bob") Clapper, and brother, David B. Clapper. She is survived by her loving husband Elwin "Woody" Miller, step-daughter Aurelia (Lorenzo) Bellavita and children Luca and Elianna, great-aunt Ferne (Byers) Kinter (her second Mother), brother and sister-in-law Jon and Sharon S. Clapper, nephews and niece: Jude, Gabe, and Jess Clapper, and grand-nephews and nieces: Sage, Maxwell, Theo, Cairo, and Moxie Clapper.
Kim and Woody had been together since 1995, when they met due to an introduction by a lumber dealer in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada who sold to Clapper's Building Materials. They married five years later in Berkeley Springs, WV. Kim loved to sail, hike and travel the country with Woody and their dogs (Jumba & Bailey). They have been to all 48 continental United States in their RV, only missing Hawaii and Alaska..
Kim was an avid traveler and had been all over Europe, with Italy, Austria, and Turkey standing out as touchstone trips. She truly lived by the adage, "spend your money on experiences, not things."
Kim was born in Meyersdale on April 15, 1955 where she grew up around her family's business, Clapper's Building Materials, Inc. She left Meyersdale going to college at Indiana University of Pennsylvania where she earned her bachelor's degree in International Studies.
After college she started a career in tech and computer programming that lasted over 40 years. She worked for the Internal Revenue Service, Marriott, IBM Canada, IBM US, Galileo, and NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). While still advancing her career she changed tack and earned her masters degree in non-profit management from Regis University in Denver where she and Woody lived for one year before moving up the mountain to Evergreen, CO. With her education in non-profit work, she served as content editor of the Journal of Environmental Health, a publication of National Environmental Health Association. Kim was admired and respected in her professional and personal life. She was a great listener, and always offered her assistance and support in the most sincere ways.
Kim inherited her spirit of community service from her mother, Doris. She was a driving force in creating the Jager and Friends Dog Park when she saw a need for Somerset County's four-legged citizens. She was a bookworm with a love of historical novels and memoirs. She volunteered her time at the Meyersdale Public Library and co-ordinated the jewelry sale which benefited various non-profit organizations. She followed in Doris' footsteps by taking over the PA Maple Festival Quilt Show. While in Colorado she ran an alternative gift fair. Kim was also a member of the Evergreen Rodeo Association.
Kim was a member of Amity United Church of Christ, Meyersdale and Church of the Hills, Evergreen Colorado, where she was active as an Elder and endowment trustee. She was so grateful for online access to Bible studies to stay connected. She enjoyed her knitting club, reading, being in nature, writing, community involvement, and seeing the world. Kim was inclusive of everyone, making everyone feel welcome and greatly appreciated! Kim made many friends in Amado and Green Valley, Arizona who have been so helpful and considerate; a tribute to her fine character.
Donations in Kim's memory may be sent to the Meyersdale Public Library, 210 Center St., Meyersdale, PA 15552.
A memorial service will be held Monday, August 15, 2022 at 10 a.m. at Amity United Church of Christ, with Pastor Pete Kaltenbaugh officiating. Price Funeral Service, Inc., Meyersdale is honored to serve the Clapper Family. (www.WilliamRowePrice.com)
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