Deryce Clapp

Deryce Marie Clapp passed from this life into the Kingdom of God on January 29th, 2013 in Casper Wyoming. Deryce was born to Maudie and Heavy Hudson in Lance Creek, Wyoming on April 3, 1937. She was the middle child of three with an older sister Connie and a younger brother Jim. When she was about 2 years of age, they moved to Kinnear, Wyoming where her father opened a blacksmith shop. They had about 23 acres and Deryce grew up around farming and livestock. Her father made a living servicing the equipment of farmers in the area. Deryce went to grade school and High School at the Morton School about 5 miles west of Kinnear. In the early 40's there was a revival in the Kinnear area which lead to the salvation of nearly 11 couples in the area. Two of those families were the Hudson's and the Clapp's. After a time, a church was organized and the very first meeting place was a tar paper shack, with a dirt floor and wooden benches that was built on the Heavy Hudson place. Mom expressed memories of her and Connie singing harmony together for the church service. Maudie, Deryce's mother was always very musical, and all of the Hudson children grew up singing and playing the piano. Mom also played the violin when she was younger. A permanent location for the church was eventually located a few miles east of Kinnear on land donated to the church by Pill and Blanch Clapp, Deryce's future in-laws. When mom was in her mid-teens she caught the eye of the 4 years older Clarence Clapp. Mom was too young to date, but by the time dad was 20, and drafted into the army, their affection was in full force. They wrote each other constantly while dad was in the service. He was based in France working in the Army moter pool. They planned their wedding long distance, and were married just a few days after dad was released for the Army on September 6th, 1955. They immediately moved to Laramie, Wyoming where dad started college at the University of Wyoming. Deryce started her lifelong full time occupation on October 11, 1956 with the birth of their first child Melody Marie. Bryan Douglas was born in 1958, and Brent Duane in 1961. After living in Thermopolis, Kemmerer, they moved to Casper in 1966. Deryce was a dedicated mother. She was a great cook and used her gifts of cooking. With very little planning she could whip up a meal for a large group of people in a jiffy! Her sensitive spirit was used countless times by the Spirit of God as mom and dad worked together to invite people into their home and into the Kingdom of God. In March of 1979 as Melody was returning for her final term to College she was killed in an automobile accident. Melody's death was a horrible blow to Deryce and Clarence and the boys. Melody was a bright religious studies major and was planning on going to seminary and becoming a pastor. Her death caused deep unresolvable spiritual questions in the Clapp family and in the lives of many of the Melody's friends. But, in spite of it all, Deryce and Clarence never wavered in their faith. They knew that even if one couldn't make sense of Melody's death that the very nature of God is to bring great things out of terrible tragedy. Mom and dad shared their faith and the story of Melody's death countless times. The witness of how God sustained them was a story that affected the lived of countless individuals and brought many people to an understanding of the love of God. Mom maintained that spirit of hope and love until her last days. Deryce and Clarence loved each other. You couldn't mention one without the other. Through the years, as both of their health declined, they were determined to be together. Their love was evident and contagious. Clarence became weakened by multiple health issues and passed on his birthday, in August of 2012. Even though she was strong after his passing, she was lost without him. We are sad and will miss mom, but we are rejoicing that she is joining Clarence and Melody, and her many other family members that have gone before her. Even at a young age, Deryce loved songs about heaven. She always hoped for the day when she would see the face of Jesus. Now she can. Deryce is survived by her siblings Connie Mendenhall and Jim Hudson. Also, her sons Bryan and Brent, and her grandchildren, Bethany, Brittany, Mekala, Kelsie, and Brady, and 4 great grandchildren, Clarayce, Benjamin, Colman, and Danni. She is preceded in death by her husband Clarence, her parents Maudie and Heavy Hudson, her daughter Melody, and her great grandson, Joseph. The funeral service will be Saturday, February 9th, at 2:00pm at the Nazarene Church at 2020 So. Jefferson, in Casper, Wyoming. The service can be viewed live or afterword online at FuneralRecoding.com, Memorial ID # 4042. Or click on this link: http://funeralrecordingcom./index.cfm?pagaeid=172&lid=4042 If you have any questions please feel free to call or text Brent at (541) 786-0200 or email at brentclapp@hotmail.com. Mail for the family will be received at 10305 E. 1st St, La Grande, OR 97850