Jon Royal Clapp "Coach"

Jon Royal Clapp "Coach", age 82, of Fremont, Michigan departed this earthly home to be with his beloved wife, Judy, in heaven on July 8, 2025. He was born in Kankakee, Illinois on December 11, 1942 to Gail W. Clapp and Margery J. (Price) Clapp. In high school he participated in musicals and loved to sing but his real passion and energies were invested in sports – football, basketball, and, his favorite, baseball. He started his coaching career at the age of 20 coaching boys’ basketball in Tuscola, Illinois and never looked back. He coached Fremont High School’s boys’ basketball and baseball, girls’ basketball and softball, and Muskegon Community College’s women’s softball, thus earning the title “Coach.” He was a physical education instructor, primarily, but enjoyed teaching GED, history, and geography on occasion. For hobbies he trained and showed German Shepherds for 30 years then switched to Cardigan Welsh Corgis another 20 years approximately through his business, Royalwood Kennels. He also invested in harness/sulky racing for a few years with winning horses, HomeAlone Honey and Piston Supreme. On January 3, 1964 he married Judith D. (Fluegge) Clapp who passed away in October 2023. He is survived by his only brother Michael W. (Kathy) Clapp of Surprise, Arizona, his 2 children and 10 grandchildren: Bruce Dean (Elisabeth) Clapp of Willis, Michigan with their 6 children, Stuart (Madelaine) Clapp, Trevor Clapp, Jacob (Stephanie) Clapp, Olivia (David) Buhrman, William Clapp, Catherine Clapp And Bonny Dawn (Robert) Baar of Jenison, Michigan with their 4 children, AJ (Jessica) Baar, Josette (Dylan) Dreyer, Rebekah (Palmer) Ponstein, and Zechariah (Morgan) Baar. He was blessed to also have 9 great-grandchildren, 4 wonderful sisters-in-law with their spouses, and various nieces and nephews he was very fond of.
According to his wishes cremation has taken place and a celebration of Jon’s life will be held on Monday, July 14, 2025 at 6:30pm at First Congregational Church of Fremont with visitation from 5 to 6:30pm beforehand. Suggested Memorial: Detroit Tigers Foundation, 2100 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48201 and put in the memo: in honor of Coach Jon Clapp. This charity signifies the way he gave to kids by “enhancing lives through the games of baseball and softball with a focus on youth education, youth wellness, and growing the game,” as per the foundation’s mission statement. You can sign the online guest book at www.kroeze-wolffis.com. Arrangements are made by Kroeze-Wolffis Funeral Home, Inc.
of Fremont.

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