Obituary of Barbara Clarkin (aka Barbara Capper)

Barbara Joan Clarkin, affectionately known as Grams for the past 49 years, was born in Chicago on March 21, 1930 to William M. and Herma J. Clarkin and died on January 13, 2025 in Fort Worth. An R.N. graduate of The Ohio State University, she was married twice: to Robert S. Capper, MD for 37 years and Walter B. Saner for 21 years. The mother of 7, the grandmother of 37, the great grandmother to 52, and the stepmom or bonus mom to dozens, Barbara was known for her tenacious love for family and friends and for combining fastidious home management efficiency with hospitality. She will be remembered and treasured for her enduring commitments to instigating family gatherings; for ensuring that individuals and groups were invited and welcome in her house; for generous support and leadership of multiple entities in the medical and arts and education and Christian faith communities – particularly St. Andrew’s Catholic Church; for her voracious appetite for reading books and engaging in Bible study and competing at Bridge; for traveling and visiting all 7 continents; for creating special and extravagant cruise trips with each of her grandchildren at whose extracurricular activities she chose to attend; for birthday and holiday cards that were never late; and for her keen and often devious intellect combined with splashes of humor on display while delighting in games of all kinds.

Barbara was predeceased by husband, Walter Saner, and son, Kevin S. Capper, and is survived by her other 6 children and their families:

The Rev. Steven Capper, his wife Karen Capper, their 3 children and 6 grandchildren

Dr. David Capper, his wife Dianne Capper, their 6 children and 9 grandchildren

Kerin Morgan, her husband Bob Morgan, their 11 children and 24 grandchildren

Susan Inman, her husband Barney Inman, their 4 children and 3 grandchildren

Dayna Corley, her husband Dr. David Corley, their 6 children and 9 grandchildren

Alaine Capper and her 4 children and 1 grandchild

as well as Kevin Capper’s 3 children

She is also survived by sister-in-law, JoAn Clarkin, and her children, niece, Kathy Seibert and her family, niece, Karen Mtrka and her children, niece, Kim Mason and her family, and nephew, William (Billy) Clarkin and his family; as well as Walter Saner’s children, Brenda Schneemann and Gary Saner.

A Service celebrating Barbara’s life and her Life in Christ, followed by a reception, will be held at 1pm on Wednesday, February 12 at the Thompson’s Harveson & Cole Funeral Home, 4350 River Oaks Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76114.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Texas Right to Life in honor of Kevin Capper or Beautiful Feet Ministries in honor of Dr. David Capper.