Faith, Family and Friendship Memories With Uncle Ray and Our Kleinpeter Heritage.
Uncle Ray is a quintessential Kleinpeter and lifelong bachelor who embodies so much the essence of being a gentleman, a lover of life and a faithful friend and family confidant.
I had the pleasure last fall on a day off to meet with him in New Orleans at his Lakeview home to reminisce a lot about my upbringing, my deceased parents and grandparents and other relatives whom have immensely touched our lives. Uncle Ray had faithfully taken such great care of my late grandmother on mother's side for many years at his former house on New York Street that had a pool, which we loved to swim at.
We did this family remembrance through reviewing the meticulous collection of preserved family photos and antique-like items that Uncle Ray keeps so methodically well. And he is ever thankful to God that his house and possessions were miraculously not disturbed at all by the devastating Hurricane Katrina, even though his residence borders very closely to Lake Pontchartrain nearby.
Okay, so Uncle Ray is very organized and OC(D)-like (obsessive compulsive [disorder]); it takes one to know one, as they say! I guess I got some of these Kleinpeter traits also! My late mother used to tell me as a kid that I was like Uncle Ray, her brother, when I would all of a sudden decide to help her better organize her kitchen silverware or other things like that!
During my visit, I had fun recalling with Uncle Ray the time Mom had told us about a prank that some of his buddies, I think from South Central Bell where he worked in the Personnel Department, had played on him.
Uncle Ray used to like showing us and others how well organized he took care of things, including his closet, which always had his shoes neatly arranged, as well as his clothing, including aligning his short and long-sleeved shirts, pants, jackets, etc. When Uncle Ray stepped out of the room briefly for a moment, probably distracted by his buddies asking for a drink, he returned to find his closet all mixed up then – yikes! - but he took it in stride like anyone would.
Later, Uncle Ray gave me a guided tour drive through his neighborhood, wherein he pinpointed the residences of some big-wig politicians and celebrities that live near to him! Since he is very involved in his Civic Organization, he noted some situations wherein some folks may not be fully complying with neighborhood restrictions – they know that Uncle Ray keeps a careful eye out for maintaining safety and integrity for their neighborhood.
Next, we enjoyed some delicious poboys from Dixie's Chicken & Ribs on Argonne Blvd in Lakeview. Of course, I had to get some Barq's Root Beer to swallow down my fried oyster poboy, while Uncle Ray enjoyed his with fried shrimp! In praying with Uncle Ray before the meal, I thanked God for the wonderful Kleinpeter heritage we share and for the many untold ways that my uncle has so unselfishly given of his time and talents to humbly help so many others.
How fun it was to continue down memory lane during lunch about the Kleinpeter history, as Uncle Ray is very much up on genealogical research of the family and has been a great link to our cousins, the Kleinpeter Dairy folks, in Red Stick (Baton Rouge) - he updated me on some new adventures for the family – especially with Ben Kleinpeter.
In the past, Uncle Ray helped give tours for the “Golden Guernsey Cows” farm in Montpelier, where once I got to go with some of our kids to see how those Kleinpeter cows are cared for very lovingly! It has been fun to record some music at Kenny Kleinpeter's, who has some wonderful cds like “Louisiana Odyssey.”
So here's a toast to you, Uncle Ray, from your nephew who has learned so much from you about family, friendship and faith - in the spirit of the Kleinpeter Dairy: “You treat everyone, including cows, with LOVE, not RBGH!”
Keith John Paul Horcasitas, LCSW, MHA - January 12, 2014.
Made me think of my great uncle Roy. He always seemed to be a bachelor although he was married three times and had a daughter. My grandmother insisted on Guernsey cows because of their cream production.
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Uncle Ray is a quintessential Kleinpeter and lifelong bachelor who embodies so much the essence of being a gentleman, a lover of life and a faithful friend and family confidant.
