Susan Terry Clapper

OBITUARY FOR SUSAN T. CLAPPER

On Thursday, March 23, 2023, Susan Terry Clapper loving wife of James R. Clapper Jr., mother, grandmother, and great-grand-mother, passed away at the age of 78.

Sue, as she was known, was born in Long Branch, New Jersey on May 29, 1944, the daughter of Rosemary and Larry Terry.  An Army brat, she grew up in the environs of Ft. Monmouth where her dad was commissioned into the Signal Corps.  She lived overseas in post-war Japan, and then moved with her family to Vint Hill Farms Station, VA in the late ‘40’s. It was here that she first met her future husband, Jim, whose Army family was also stationed there.  After her dad retired from the Army, he worked for the National Security Agency as a senior civilian, and the family settled in Laurel, MD.  Sue attended and graduated from Pallotti Catholic High School in 1962, attended the University of Maryland, and then worked for the NSA. Sue and Jim reunited in Laurel and were married at the Ft. Meade Post Chapel on April 24, 1965. 

Jim and Sue served for over 32 years in the Air Force, retiring in September of 1995.  They managed 23 moves during Jim’s career.  Sue always kept the home fires burning, particularly during all Jim’s many absences from home, and was a major contributor to the successes he enjoyed during his career.  She was a dedicated volunteer wherever she was stationed, often spending her time working in schools or striving to improve family life for military families. Sue was the epitome of service to country, her community and Jim, which continued during his subsequent 16 years as a civilian in the government. 

Sue loved her family and since becoming a grandmother, freely abided by the first line in a grand-mother’s job description: “spoil the grandkids.”  She was truly the matriarch of the family.  She organized the annual family sojourns to the Outer Banks every summer for almost a quarter century.  She loved being with family and watching the grandkids grow up. 

Sue was also an ardent animal lover, and she doted on the family dog, Augusta, volunteered at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter, and donated freely to many animal causes. She was an avid gardener and birdwatcher and had room in her heart for all living creatures. Sue so positively touched so many, many lives during hers.

Sue is survived by her husband Jim, her two children, Jenni Coakley, Andy (Kim) Clapper, four grandchildren, Ryan (Hannah) Coakley, Erin Coakley, Mac Clapper, Colin Clapper, and great granddaughter, Kenna Coakley.  

Funeral services and burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be determined. Condolences can be sent to the family at The Colonial Funeral Home www.colonialfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, donations in her honor may be made to an animal well-being charity of choice, and/or to the Parkinson’s Foundation www.parkinson.org