Raymond Kloepper

It was early on Sunday Morning, October 3, 1920, in Paul and Annie Kloepper's bedroom, that Raymond, the first-born, drew his first breath. In this same room, some ten and twelve years later, his two sisters, Ilene and Ann, had this same experience. The little town in Southern Illinois had a Greek name, Marissa, but many of the residents were of German descent.

The Evangelical Church provided the early religious training for this child over an eight-year period. At that time his parents and the young boy all became born-again Pentecostals. The father became a second-generation Pentecostal preacher and ministered in Illinois for 50 years. Today that ministry has reached the fifth generation of Pentecostal preachers: his son (your writer), two grandsons — Dr. Ray Kloepper II, and Scott Graham: a grandson-in-law, Marvin Walker: and a great grandson Jonathon Walker. This rich heritage also includes a granddaughter, Claudette Walker, and a granddaughter-in-law, Mary Kloepper, who minister to ladies’ groups, marriage retreats, etc. across the U.S. and even in other countries.

It is a challenge to summarize almost 84 years on two pages, so, of necessity, much detail will have to be forfeited. After this introduction, let's switch to the first-person format. Having grown up in the Great Depression years, I observed the limited finances in the church. Those who found work often were paid a dollar per day. One of my first jobs as a teenager was to deliver for a local hardware store for a dollar that was not mine until after ten hours of work. One of the perks was that I drove a Model-A Ford, the same as the highway patrol used in those days. My goal was to get a college education so I could be a strong financial supporter of the church.

I was the first of the Kloepper-Lehr families to go to college. I chose Southern Illinois University where I had two majors — Chemistry and Secondary Education (i.e. to teach high school science). By the way, my high school scholarship, which was given for four years of college, was $120.00, not per year, rather $30.00 per year. The tuition in the middle of the depression years was $10.00 per quarter.

The military called me to WWII and after serving state-side for over a year my orders were for the South Pacific. Before deporting to South Pacific, Betty Jean Cagle and I were married. Upon returning to the base, I found that my orders had been changed to report to the Alaskan ATC, so my new bride was with me in Canada and the USA for over a year.

During my last WWII assignment, a lonely husband and father, I accepted my call to the ministry on Christmas Eve 1945 (I Peter 5:2-4). My first preaching was at an Assembly of God Mission in Fairbanks in the Alaskan Territory. It was considered foreign duty. During the ensuing years I have also been privileged to minister in other countries — Germany, Yugoslavia, and El Salvador.

My secular duties prior to full-time ministry were Civil Service, the Military, High School Science teacher, and Research Chemist for a mining company. Full-time ministry came in 1955. General license with the UPCI (formed in Sept. 1945) came in April 1947 and Ordination in July 1949. Illinois District Youth Secretary (1951-1955), My wife and I, Superintendent and Secretary of the Tupelo Children's Mansion (pioneer days 1955-1970... TCM opened Dec. 1953, General S.S. Secretary of UPCI - 1960-1971, Late 60s helped originate Word Aflame Publications — WAP adult quarterly editor, six of the first seven years — early 70s. President and my wife secretary, Gateway College of Evangelism — more pioneering, beginning of the school's third year, District Superintendent of WI — 1977-1982.

Family blessings are without price. Betty Jean has been a dedicated, faithful wife, and a major factor in our home and the various ministries. Our 60th anniversary was on September 18th. We were blessed with two children, Raymond Il and Claudette; three grandchildren — Alison, Candice, and Jonathon; a daughter-in-law, Mary; a son-in-law, Marvin Walker; 2 grandsons-in-law, Gordy Davis and Peter Johnson. All eleven are in the church, and included are four ministers and two conference and seminar speakers. We are rich, rich, rich. . . To God be the glory!!

Rev. Kloepper was called to glory on September 23, 2017.