Eric Keith Tapp, 45, dropped his robe and departed this world on Monday, March 11, 2013, for his great journey. He entered this world on April 8, 1967.
He is survived by his mother, Deloris Ann Segress; his father, Maynard Tapp; his two sisters and stepsister, Sonya Tapp Forschner, Sophia Tapp and Cheryl Kimbrell; his nephew, Hagan Johnson; his stepfather, Dale Segress; and many uncles, aunts and cousins.
Eric was a graduate of George Rogers Clark High School where he was the senior class president. After graduation, he attended Embry Riddle Aeronautical School in Florida. He was in the Civil Air Patrol. As co-owner of Tapp’s Wallpaper, Eric was considered one of the best paper hangers in Kentucky, with many clients being celebrities and government officials. He held several patents and was an avid inventor, being a member of the Lexington Inventors Club.
Some of his other activities and interests were rappelling, hiking in the Red River Gorge and collecting Star Trek memorabilia.
Throughout his whole life he was always a kind and gentle man who always wanted to help the underdog in life. He had paid for some computers to be sent to the Third World countries to help the children who had none. As a young child, he helped collect toys to be sent overseas, for as he put it to his mother, “They like to play with toys, too.”
He lived his life like the words of Gandhi, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Eric wanted to help as many people as he could. Dignity, not complaining and never issuing a negative word was the way he lived, like his Native American ancestors.
With the help and advocacy of his mother, Eric was able to overcome obstacles that would have stopped many. His love of people, his interest in technical issues, and how the future would turn out fueled his desire to think deeply.
He will be missed by all who knew him, and it is a loss for all who did not have the pleasure of meeting or knowing him.
In lieu of flowers he would want to help others. Send donations to the Homeless Shelter, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the Animal Shelter or donate a book to the library in his memory.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m., Friday, March 15, at Scobee Funeral Home by the Rev. Lee Cruse. Burial will be in the Winchester Cemetery. Eric’s uncles and cousins will serve as pallbearers.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, March 14, at Scobee Funeral Home.
The online guestbook is available at www.scobeefuneralhome.com and the 24-hour funeral information line can be reached by calling 744-2122.
