Tom was born in Columbus, Ohio, and was adopted by Pete and Laura Clapper as a newborn. He was raised in Mansfield, Ohio, where he spent his youth working at the family service station.
It was there that he discovered his love of motorsports. He could talk endlessly about the cars he owned and raced as a teen, the Allison Legacy series he raced in as an adult, or whatever NASCAR race may be happening over the weekend.
He also cherished his time riding his Harley Davidson motorcycles. He took great pride serving as a Road Captain of the local HOG chapter in Orange County, California, where he lived most of his adult life. The friendships he made there were strong and everlasting.
To pay for his adventures, he worked tirelessly in sales. Starting out in the bottling and packaging industry, he transitioned to blown film and extruded plastics machinery early in his career. He was loved and respected by his coworkers and clients, alike.
But Tom will be most remembered as the head of the family that loved him dearly. He married the love of his life in 1976 and immediately assumed the role of father to two young boys. In addition to being a wonderful husband, he was a coach, scoutmaster, teacher, mentor, and the biggest fan to his sons who loved him very much. Later, he became the World’s Best Grandpa/Papa to his three grandchildren who he loved watching grow into amazing people.
He is survived by his wife, Virginia Clapper, who stood faithful by his side for almost 50 years. His sons Tony (Robin) Delnoce and Todd (Staci) Delnoce, will carry forward his legacy and his corny jokes. And his grandchildren Maggie, Abby, and Tico, who he loved so much and who loved him will miss him dearly.
Tom was preceded in death by his father, Lloyd (Pete) Clapper and his mother Pauline Clapper.
Guestbook/Condolences
I met TC at Cook's Corner here in Orange County California. We would meet every Sunday morning for food , fellowship and cigars and to listen to Tom just kill his with his jokes . We call these get-togethers Church and TC was the preacher and man could he preach ( jokes and stories ) and keep us entertained for hours .
There isn't a Sunday morning that his name and one of his stories doesn't come up and still crack us up . TC will be greatly missed by his brother's out here ..... we love you brother and we'll miss you .
NOT ROD
Sorry for your loss.Ginger He was a good guy
He will surely be missed. I’m so glad I was his friend. He was also my road captain for years. God bless you and your family.
Sending our condolences and prayers for you and the family. Love From all of Us ❤️
I was not around Tom all that often, California and Ohio just are not around the corner from each other. But when he and his wife, (in our family she was cuz, Ginger), came to town, we got to spend some good times with him. The one thing that I will say about this man, was how much his family meant to him. You could see the love he had for Ginger. It was all over his face. That kind of love is unique. And it was returned to him by Gin. I think they shared a life together that most people wish for but rarely have. I shared that kind of love with my wife, so I can speak from experience. Ginger, I know the pain you are having now. But I am confident that the memories with Tom will somehow ease that pain some. Remember that "Memories are a gift from God that time cannot erase".
Ginger, so sorry for your loss.
Sending many Prayer’s.
Charlotte Kenner
I first met TC when we rode together at Orange Coast Harley Davison. TC became one of the best Road Captains I'd ever experienced. Every Sunday a group of us riders would meet at Cooks Corner for breakfast and stogies. We called this meeting "going to church." Tom was always part of this group, but always remained rather quiet until it was time to tell a joke. He would have us all in stitches.
The breakfast group became "Brothers," and several of us attended an annual cigar convention with TC called "Big Smoke" in Vegas and met weekly at a cigar lounge called "Embassy. TC's knowledge of motorcycles and Nascar was extensive, and I learned much from this brother.
Ride on brother. We will meet again.
I had known Tom for about for about 35 years. We met working at Gloucester Engineering where we were colleagues for about 18 years. In the time I had known him, he was every bit of what was recounted in his obituary. A true friend, a family man, a relentless worker, and an absolute auto enthusiast.
While we weren't very close, due to the miles distance of our homes, it always felt that way when I was around him.
I will miss him dearly, the many get togethers and camarderie, and the annual Christmas cards we shared over the years.
My deep and sincere condolences to Ginger and the entire family for this sad loss of a special man.
so sorry for your loss Ginger. your love for Tom was always evident, especially in the way Tom spoke about you. I had the good fortune to have worked with Tom at Gloucester Engineering for 30 years. he taught me what customer service and support was all about. and most importantly inter-personal support. He cared about doing the job right! And followed through, even when that was the tougher path.
he also made me laugh. mostly at times when the situation needed a laugh to get back on track!
I will miss Tom mostly because.... he was fun to be around!
I just found out about tom ,im so sorry for your loss ginger ,with love from me and vicky
Just found out about Tom passing it is a complete shock to me. I knew Tom as a kid growing up behind the Mobil station. Though he was a few years older I hung around the station we would get some pop and peanuts from the machines there and eavesdrop on the conversations of the older guys. Lots of great memories especially his blue 1970 Boss 302. Had lost track of him after those days after growing up myself. To his family please accept my deepest condolences on his passing it sounds as though he was loved by many.