Obituary of Randy Alan Keplar

Mr. Randy Alan Keplar age 67 of Vilas, went to be with Jesus on Monday, December 16, 2019. Randy was born September 8, 1952 in Bucyrus, Ohio, a son of the late Darrell William and Kathryn Keplar. He had many health complications with heart disease and diabetes. Through it all he grew deeper in his faith and love for Christ and always had a positive attitude about his challenges. He was a devoted Christian and a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church. Randy was a veteran of the US Navy and served during the Vietnam Era. He lived an adventurous life. He was an outdoorsman who loved fishing and traveling to St. Augustine, Sanibel Island, Florida and the Cayman Islands. He also loved Topsail Island for shelling and hunting shark teeth and spending time with his family. He loved Indian artifacts and was a very talented pencil artist and musician. Randy was known for his craftsmanship, integrity and hard work. He was the owner of Kepco Home Maintenance and worked in the Elk River Development for many years. He made many special friends while working there. He is survived by the love of his life, wife of 27 years, Mary Potter Keplar of Vilas; his daughter, Rebecca Emily Price and his special grandson Braydon Ervin Price; two brothers, Ed Keplar of Lancaster, Ohio and Curtis Keplar (Kathy) of Topsail Island and sister, Bonnie Bright (Joel) of Carroll, Ohio. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Jerry Potter (Treva) of Holton Beach, sister-in-law Betty Hodges (RD) of Boone and sister-in-law Thersia Potter of Todd and by many nieces, nephews and a special friend, Rick Foster. The family extends a very special 'Thank You' to Randy's caregiver, Hannah Minton, for all her professional love and care. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters Arlene Taylor and JoAnne Turner and infant brother, Robbie Keplar all of Ohio; three brothers-in-law, Wayne Potter of Todd, Harold Potter of Mountain City, TN and Bob Farthing of Boone; father and mother In-law, Ervin and Zelma Potter of Todd; and stepfather, Robert Russell. Celebration of Life Services for Randy Keplar will be conducted Saturday, December 21, 2019 at 2:00 at Oak Grove Baptist Church in Boone. Officiating will be Rev. Ronnie Hayes and Rev. Kenneth Phipps and Rick Foster. The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 2 o'clock, prior to services, at the church. Military Honors will be provided by the American Legion Post #130. In Lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made to the Braydon Price College Fund at Lifestore, 1675 Blowing Rock Road, Boone, NC 28607 or St. Jude Children's Hospital, Memorials & Honors Program, 6279 Fairview Road, Charlotte, NC 28210. Online condolences may be shared at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Keplar family.