'JR' John Clapp

"JR" JOHN ROBERT WALLACE CLAPP

Vinton

"JR" John Robert Wallace Clapp, 11, died unexpectedly Saturday, April 16, 2016, while playing with friends at Boy Scout Camp at Hickory Hills Park in rural La Porte City. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 22, at Blessed Hope Church in Vinton with the Rev. Matt Hantz officiating. Visitation will be held at the church from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 21, and one hour before services Friday.

JR was born Aug. 17, 2004, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, the son of John Wallace and Tina Ann Hardman Clapp. He was in the fifh grade at Vinton-Shellsburg Community Schools where he had worked on the yearbook and been awarded the presidential award. JR was an active member of Blessed Hope Church in Vinton and had accepted Christ as his Savior before his baptism in 2015.

JR loved nature and being outdoors. He enjoyed riding on his golf cart, music and singing, video games, swimming, golfing, participating in Boy Scouts, making videos and working on art and craft projects. He loved spending time with his family. JR was a kind soul who was extremely loving and, in return, was well-loved by others. He touched a lot of lives in his short time on Earth.

JR is survived by his parents, John and Tina Clapp of Vinton; brothers, Joe Ard of Cedar Rapids and Dennis Ard of Vinton; niece, Vivian Ard of Cedar Rapids; grandparents, Bonnie Rieks of Harpers Ferry and Harry and Cathy Hardman of Cedar Rapids; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, John R. Clapp and Roger Rieks; great-grandparents, Margaret Henecke and Harold B.T. and Marian Brown; uncle, Jimmy Hardman; and great-aunt Carolyn Ray.

A memorial fund has been established.

Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home is caring for JR and his family. Condolences may be left at www.vsrfh.com.