Herbert Joe Kelpen

Herbert Joe Kelpen, Sr. passed away March 11th, 2024, at the age of 85. Herb was a resident of Springfield, Louisiana and a Native of Houston, Texas. He was born to Walter C. Kelpen and Pauline Tinckel Kelpen on June 16, 1938. 
Herb is remembered by his loving wife, Pearlie "Inez" Johnson Kelpen; his children, Eddie Kelpen (Joy Kelpen), Jody A. Kelpen (Donna Kelpen), Herbert Joe Kelpen Jr. (Kim Kelpen), Michael Kelpen (Connie Kelpen), daughter-In-law, Jana Kelpen; as well as 12 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren.
Herb is preceded in death by his parents, Walter C. Kelpen and Pauline Tinckel Kelpen, his son, Mark W. Kelpen; siblings, Harvey Hauck , Leon Hauck, and Jerry Hauck-Dixon.
Herb was a graduate of Regan High School and continued his education at St. Thomas College in Houston, Texas. After graduation Herb joined Houston Police Department and went on to open his own company known as Mustang Security and Investigation. Herb was a Lifetime Associate of ASSIST (Associated Security Services and Investigators of the State of Texas). In 1973 Herb received the very first Security Officer Commission issued in the State of Texas: #00001. Governor Dolph Brisco appointed Herb Kelpen as Director of ASSIST in the State of Texas because of his outstanding work in the role of ASSIST within the legislative framework of the State of Texas. Later in Herb's career he went on to work with Wackenhut Security, a private security corporation, and worked there until retirement.

After that, Herb worked for Day & Zimmerman and traveled extensively to major corporations and provided training in private security for major businesses and plants in the United States of America. In Herb's retirement he worked for ten years at Tidehaven Independent School District as a school bus driver. In his later years Herb enjoyed BBQ cook-offs in Matagorda County where he won multiple times with friends and family known as "Riskie Cookers." Herb was also a Lifetime Member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. 
The memorial service for Herb J. Kelpen will be held at Hawley Cemetery in Blessing, Texas on June the 15th, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. Those who wish to send flowers should send to Taylor Bros. Funeral Home in Bay City, Texas.