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<p>Colonel <em>John Franklin Clapper</em> (Retired), M.D., left this earth on October 3, 2025 after a fierce battle with Lewy body dementia (LBD). A devoted follower of Christ, John’s life was one of quiet strength, faithful service, and generous love. </p>
<p>John was born on April 12, 1947 in Whitefish, MT to loving parents John and Jacqueline Clapper. The first of four children, he grew up with sisters Kathleen, Sally, and Dorothy in Spokane, WA. Favorite memories were summers spent working on their uncle’s farm in Montana. </p>
<p>John first learned about a life of service from his father, who served in the Army during World War II. Thankfully, John’s dad never made it to Europe, but he piqued his son’s interest with stories of Army life. </p>
<p>Junior year at West Valley High School, John attended American Legion Boys State, where he talked with a West Point cadet. John realized that, if he continued to excel in school, serving his country would make it possible to obtain a college education. John applied to Representative Tom Foley and earned a nomination as an alternate to attend West Point. God’s providence was shown when the principal nominee had a medical issue, giving John the appointment instead. </p>
<p>Never having traveled by airplane, John took a train from Spokane to New York. While at West Point, John participated in many clubs: Triathlon, Mountaineering, Portuguese, Astronomy, First Captain’s Forum and Fine Arts Forum. He enjoyed being part of the Baptist Student Union and served as a Sunday School teacher to fifth and sixth graders at the West Point Cadet Chapel. Chaplains Easterling and Wilson were encouraging mentors to John, pushing dreams of becoming an airborne chaplain. John’s fervent faith and compassion for others had a long-lasting impact on his fellow cadets (one roommate became a minister and another taught religious studies).</p>
<p>After being commissioned into Field Artillery, John had a strong desire to attend medical school. He was originally accepted at Baylor University but couldn’t go because of Army commitments. The following year, when given the option of medical school or Vietnam, he chose to attend University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. There he met and married the love of his life, Cindy Gwinn. They had their first child, Jonathan. John graduated from Medical School in 1975 and moved to Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, HI for pediatric residency. While there, they were blessed with their daughter Jennifer. John enjoyed time with family, the ocean, running (he competed in the Honolulu Marathon twice), and fellowship at International Baptist Church. </p>
<p> John next went to Fort Knox, KY, where he served as chief of pediatrics. John had to air evac sick patients to the larger medical center in Louisville, achieving his dream of acting as airborne chaplain and ministering to patients in a critical time. Caroline was born and the family moved to Fort Lewis, WA, where Melissa and Jeffrey were born. </p>
<p>From 1987 to 1990, John served as chief of pediatrics at 34th General Army Hospital in Augsburg, Germany, where the family enjoyed traveling throughout Europe. During each assignment, John and Cindy met people that became lifelong friends. After returning to Fort Lewis, he served as a staff pediatrician at Madigan, where his sixth child, Sarah, was born. </p>
<p>In 1991 John retired from the Army as a colonel and joined Pediatrics Northwest. He was loved among parents and became known for his exceptional diagnostic intuition. </p>
<p>His Christian faith remained most important, finding time to take biblical counseling classes at Western Reformed Seminary. In 2000, John and Cindy found a church home in Evangelical Reformed Church, where John served as deacon during his later time there.</p>
<p>After years of traveling, John and Cindy cherished life in Lakewood, WA and the friendships they formed there. Their home on Gravelly Lake was a place of welcome and joy, hosting family gatherings, celebrations with friends, and church picnics. They often enjoyed vacationing in Hawaii. </p>
<p>In 2018, after 43 years as an M.D., John retired. He enjoyed spending more time with Cindy, babysitting his grandkids, and working in his yard. His children and grandchildren brought him much joy.</p>
<p>John began experiencing a sharp decline in health. In July 2022, he was diagnosed with LBD. It was devastating for John and family to know the outcome that lay ahead. Medication brought some stability and quality of life back, but the next years were beyond challenging, with more miserable moments than good. John still found comfort in the Lord. His greatest joy was knowing his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ saved him to worship God forever. He and Cindy had a favorite quote by John MacArthur: “What brings us great encouragement and comfort is that the Lord is at work in each life conforming us to Christ, weaning us from the world, showing us what we love, strengthening our faith, and equipping us so that we can comfort others when the time comes for them to suffer.”</p>
<p>John fell and broke his hip in July 2025. Recovery was difficult; LBD was advancing. John went to hospice care in September. He had many visits from family and friends. At home and surrounded with the love of family, he left to meet his Savior. </p>
<p>John is survived by his beloved wife, Cindy; his kids: Jonathan (Robyn), Jennifer (Brian), Caroline, Melissa (Christopher), Jeffrey, and Sarah (Jordan); and his grandchildren: Estella, Blaise, Max, Jack, Ingrid, Audrey, Natalie, and Arthur. </p>
<p><em>— Wife, Cindy Clapper, and Daughter, Sarah Bye</em></p>
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