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Submitted: 5/4/16 • Approved: 5/4/16 • Last Updated: 3/25/18 • R124922-G0-S3
September 6, 1924 - April 27, 2014
A memorial service will be held for Don Kiper, of Monroe, on Wednesday, April 30,2014 at 3:00 pm at First United Methodist Church, 3900 Loop Road, Monroe. Visitation will be held in the church parlor prior to the service from 1:00-2:30pm.
Don was born in Glbert, LA on September 6, 1924, to Ernest Richard Kiper and Luella Huggins Kiper. He entered Heaven on Sunday, April 27, 2014. He was the youngest of ten children, nine boys and one girl, with only four sons living till adulthood. He was raised in Gilbert and moved to Monroe after graduating from high school. He attended Northeast Junior College before joining the army in 1944. He served in Hawaii during WWII and rose to the rank of Staff Sargent. Upon his return from the war, he married his child bride, Martha Williams Renaud on May 24, 1946. Don and Martha had three children, Martha Janet, Donald Gill, Jr., and Kathy Ann. They lost Gill in 1961 in a car accident. Don and Martha were married 39 years, until her death in 1985. On May 26, 1986, he married Evelyn Wade Curry. They were married 17 years until her death in 2003.
Upon returning from the war, Don began working in the family hardware business, E.R. Kiper Hardware and Supply Company, at 703 North 5th. Kiper Hardware was started by Don's father in 1923. Don and his brother, Leslie (Coonie), operated the Monroe location while their older brother Asa ran the Wisner location. The Wisner store is still open for business, run first by Don's nephew, Ernest, and now by his great nephew, Miles Kiper. A Winnsboro location is run by his great nephew, Trey Kiper. During Don's years at the store he was very active in the Louisiana Propane Gas Association. He held a variety of offices over the years, and in 2010, was awarded the Charles M. Fuller Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of his service to the propane industry.
Don was raised in a Christian home, his father being Methodist and his mother being Baptist. They would attend one service in the morning and the other service in the evening. After marrying Martha, they became members of First Methodist in Monroe. They were faithful members of the Anna Gray Noe Sunday school class.
Don was a respected businessman in the community and a faithful member of his church. He was a true gentleman and loved to compliment the ladies. He enjoyed giving out $2 bills to little children and pretty ladies! He could fix just about anything and spent many hours piddling in his workshop.
Don is survived by his two daughters, Kathy Willson, of Ruston, and her husband, Bruce, and Janet Robbins, of Ferriday, and her husband, Jimmy; six grandchildren, Joseph Gill Robbins, Brian Mitchell Robbins and wife, Erika, Tammy Robbins Foreman, and husband, Wes, Trey Willson, and wife Emily, Rachel Willson Lane, and husband, Joshua, and Abigail Kiper Anderson, and husband, Benjamin, eleven great grandchildren, and several beloved nieces and nephews. His grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
As a believer in Jesus Christ as his personal Savior, Don is now home. He is united with his loved ones that have gone before him and they are worshipping before the throne of God. To God be the glory!
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Mrs. Dale Bailey for care of Don over the past seven years, and to Ms. Janie Elliot, Ms. Dianna Elliot, Ms. Sarah Rucks, Ms. Carolyn Robertson, Ms. Ann Jones and Ms. Tameka for their care giving during the past year. A special thank you as well, to the staff of St. Joseph's Hospice.
Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church.
Contributed on 5/4/16 by debbraszymanski
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Record #: 124922