Date Created: 12/23/2016
Last Updated: 01/18/2017

In loving memory of Gail Klepel
10/21/1954 - 12/10/2016

Location: Chiangmai THAILAND, International

Visits: 3,780

On December 10, 2016, Gail Klepel went home to be with Jesus instantly from cardiac arrest while at home in Chiangmai Thailand. The loss of Gail, was so sudden and unexpected that there was not even one second to say goodbye. She was immediately ushered into the presence of Jesus without any pain or suffering.

Saying "Goodnight" and "See you in the morning" to Gail so suddenly is indeed hard for family and friends and the lives of so many people that were touched by her life of ministry. Gail invested in the lives of others with love and compassion and with laughter and a smile. She was an inspiration in the life or her husband, Dan and her children, Andrew, Sam and Katie. She will always be remembered for how she lived to serve Jesus and others.

We commemorated Gail’s life in a memorial service first in Thailand surrounded by over 250 people whose lives had been enriched by Gail's life, love and laughter. Rev. Wirachai Kowae, the founder of the Thailand Assemblies of God gave a very personal and moving message commemorating Gail's life, and recognizing her as the first Assembly of God Missionary to literally give their life in Thailand as a "one way ticket" missionary. Gail served in Thailand for over 34 years.

We will commemorate Gail's life together for a final time with our friends and family and say our final goodbye to Gail together at a Memorial service on Wednesday, December 28 in Whittier, CA.

The funeral will be held at 11 AM at Grace Community Church, 7106 Sorensen Ave. Whittier CA 90606. Immediately following the funeral will be the committal service at Rose Hills Cemetery, after which we will return to Grace Community Church for a light lunch and reception. We would like to invite all of our friends who are able to come and join us as we celebrate Gail's life and find comfort together in our loss of her.

A very touching video tribute to Gail can be found on youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMy8zoFe6ng

For those who may want to make a contribution in memory of Gail, a project that was very dear to her heart was the Christ Mercy School for Stateless Children in Maeramat Thailand which she had worked with closely for many years now. You may donate by giving through our Ministry account at Assemblies of God World Missions. You may copy and paste this link https://giving.ag.org/Give/Details/600001-249246?MinistryName=Klepel&Page=1 and in the comments section write "Gail's Memorial"

 
 
 
 

The Life of Gail Lynn Klepel

Gail (Barber) Klepel was born on Oct 21 1954 in China Town, Los Angeles where her parents, Dale and Wanda Barber, were starting a Chinese Church. When Gail was only a few months old a word of prophecy was given over her that she would be a missionary. At age 4 her parents were called as missionaries to Hong Kong where they served 3 years before transitioning to the Philippines for 8 years to start Chinese-speaking churches in those locations. Gail has many fond memories of growing up in the Philippines and accompanying her parents on visitation and outreach. The family moved back to Hong Kong for 2 years and then were transferred to Brussels, Belgium to help start ICI.

Gail attended high school on three continents – North America, Faith Academy in the Philippines, and Europe. After high school, Gail studied Music and Business Administration at Southern California College, Costa Mesa, CA, graduating in 1977. She also completed a M.S in Bible and Theology with a focus in Intercultural Studies from Southwestern Assemblies of God University in 2006 . She was working towards the completion of a Doctor of Applied Intercultural Studies with a focus on Relief, Aid and Development at Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, Springfield MO from 2008 to the present.

With a passion to serve both people and God, Gail first came to Thailand in 1979 as a 2-year volunteer with the Division of Foreign Missions of the Assemblies of God to work in the library and teach at the Thailand Assemblies of God Bible Institute in Bangkok. During this time, she also worked with the students helping to start Happy Land Church. She left Thailand in 1981 to receive ministerial ordination and missionary appointment, arriving back in Thailand in 1984 to continue working with Happy Land Church and the Bible School, and to further her studies of the Thai Language.

In 1989 Gail moved to Chonburi to start a church and teach at Christ For Thailand Institute in Sri Racha where she met missionary Dan Klepel. They decided to join their lives and ministries together and were married in the United States on Nov 3, 1990 returning to Thailand in 1992 with their first-born child, Andrew.

The Klepels spent 10 years serving as missionaries in Northeast Thailand, living first in Korat and later in Khon Kaen. Their second son, Samuel, was born in Korat in 1993. While they were in Khon Kaen, their daughter Katie was added to their family.

The Klepels moved to Chiang Mai in 2002 to continue their ministry of church planting and development not just in the North but throughout the nation. One place that has been particularly impacted by Gail’s ministry is in Tai Muang, Phang Nga, an area devastated by the tsunami of 2004. Gail made many trips there to minister to children left orphaned and to help start Liberty Church Phang Nga. Gail was known for her huge heart of compassion as well as being a gifted Bible teacher and mentor.

On December 10, 2016, this faithful servant of God went home to be with Jesus instantly from cardiac arrest. She will be greatly missed by her many friends, colleagues, and, most of all, by her beloved husband and family members.

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Guest Book

Ric Shields 8/23/2017
 
Joyce Klepel 5/31/2017
 
Duane Klepel 5/31/2017
 
Tony and Christine ph... 1/5/2017
 
Nirhal Philips 1/3/2017
 
Dave and Becky Jenkin... 1/1/2017
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Family & Friends

Daniel
(Husband)
 
Brenda
(Cousin)
 
Doris
(Friend)
 
Linda
(Friend)
 
Katie
(Daughter)

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