In Memoriam: Olen Thurman Kleinpeter

    “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” – 2 Timothy 4:7.  Olen’s book of life on Earth was closed on the morning of October 27, 2016, one day before his 89th birthday.  He is now reunited with his father Nelson, his mother Omilee, and his two sisters Iris and Nina, as well as numerous other family members and friends.
    Olen was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, who was often called Daddy, Poppy, Bubba, Klein, and the beloved Olen.  He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Geraldine; his daughters, Sherry Williams and husband Danny, Rhonda Newman and husband Jerry, and Cindy Kleinpeter; 10 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
    He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was a Purple Heart recipient.  Olen retired at age 65 as an Instrument Technician.  He loved God, family, traveling, camping, cooking, fishing, and socializing.  He also enjoyed Sunday dinners with the family.  He had a sense of humor in playing with the grandchildren and often took phones, wallets, keys, hats, and toys when no one was looking.
    A celebration of Olen’s life was held at Galilee Baptist Church in Zachary, Louisiana, on November 5, 2016.  Visitation was followed by a memorial service.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Galilee Baptist Church Building Fund or the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home.