Cheraw, SC

Chief Warrant Officer Clovis Henry Tapp, aged 99, of Cheraw, South Carolina, passed away Sunday, May 3, 2026. Born in Henderson, Kentucky, he was the son of the late Cyrus Roy and Birdie Ethel Tapp. He was a devoted member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Charleston, South Carolina.

Clovis graduated in 1944 from Barret Manual Training High School in Henderson, Kentucky, where he actively participated in baseball, basketball, and football. As a teen he and his father delivered blocks of ice by horse and wagon. In July 1944, he joined the United States Merchant Marines and worked on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers during World War II until enlisting in the United States Navy in December 1947 dedicating 30 years to military service.

After completing Recruit Training at the Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois, he started his sea duty on board USS ORION (AS-18) in March 1948. Since that first sea tour he served on board USS CALOOSAHATCHEE (AO-98), USS RECOVERY (ARS-43), USS PICTOR (AF-54). USS SAN MARCOS (LSD-25), USS SAM HOUSTON SSBN-609), Staff. Submarine Flotilla EIGHT, USS AUTLE (SS-403), USS ODAX (SS-468). USS HUNLEY (AS-31), and a final sea tour on board the USS ORION (AS-18), the same ship on which he started his sea duty. CWO3 TAPP also served at a variety of shore stations: Charleston Group Reserve Fleet, Charleston, SC; Naval Supply Depot, Bayonne, New Jersey: Naval Receiving Station, Winter Harbor, Maine; Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois; Military Assistance Advisory Group, Tsoying, Taiwan; Navy Amphibious Base, Little Creek, Virginia; Naval Submarine School, New London, Connecticut: Naval Station, Newport, Rhode Island; Naval Supply Corps School, Athens, Georgia; Naval Supply Center, Charleston, South Carolina; Navy Support Activity, Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam; and Atlantic Fleet Polaris Material Office, Charleston, South Carolina. He was a proud submariner serving on both diesel electric and fast attack nuclear submarines. He was part of a blue crew going on patrols for 60 to 90 days at a time. Clovis took part in testing the capabilities of the USN’s first nuclear submarines conducting deep dives and combat scenarios. His service took him to other interesting locations including Italy, Greece, India, Cuba, Panama, Egypt, Japan, Hong Kong, Philippines, Germany, Scotland, and many many undisclosed locations in the service of the freedom and defense of this great country.

He served during both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Over his distinguished career, he earned many military honors and distinctions. Additionally, Clovis was a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of the Omar Shriner Temple in Charleston, South Carolina.

Following his military service, Clovis pursued entrepreneurship, owning several businesses including Tapp Seawall & Construction in Charleston and Skebo’s on Folly Beach. He later applied his naval training to a second career, working for over a decade with Syscon Corporation and CACI where he applied his military supply corps experience in the civilian corporate world.

Clovis stayed an avid sports enthusiast throughout his life, enjoying basketball, baseball, football, golf, boxing, bowling, both water and snow skiing. In addition to coaching little league baseball both overseas and stateside, he coached basketball and officiated as a referee in both. Alongside his wife, Adlay, he was known for his skill in dancing Jitterbug and the Charleston. He had a deep love for the water through boating and swimming and enjoyed traveling the world, particularly appreciating Scotland. He and Adlay dedicated years of service to Lutheran Social Services helping families and individuals in need in the Greater Charleston area.

He is survived by his son, Larry Wayne Tapp II (Bethany), grandchildren Wyatt, Jarod, Dustin, Michelle, Krysten, Alex, Austin, Adlay, and several great-grandchildren. His love of family, sense of humor, and many stories will also be missed by other family members including his nieces and nephews whom he loved as if they were his own children.

Clovis was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife and lifelong love, Adlay Awilda Tapp, his second wife, Billie Dean Schutt-Tapp, a son, Larry Wayne Tapp (Helen Kelly, living), brothers Starling (Edith), Lowell, and Emory Tapp (Margie), and sisters Alma Leopold (Joe) and Etheline Tapp.

The family takes comfort in celebrating a life marked by service, dedication, and cherished memories.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday May 13. 2026 at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 306 Fayetteville Ave., Bennettsville, SC 29512.

An inurnment service will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 9:00 AM in Holy Cross Cemetery, 604 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, SC.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Neighbors Together, 2105 Cosgrove Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405 (formerly Tricounty Ministries and then previously Lutheran Social Services)

Kiser Funeral Home has been entrusted to serve the Tapp family in their time of grief.

Online condolences may be made at www.kiserfuneralhome.com.