Hoffpauir, Aladan Rufus
3/6/1947
June 1880 - March 6, 1947 |
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| Aladan Rufus Hoffpauir, son of Silas and Lucinda Brown Hoffpauir, was born in the month of June, 1880, on a farm near Lafayette, Louisiana. He was killed at a railroad crossing in Gilbert, Louisiana, March 6, 1947, being at that time 66 years, seven months old. Brother Hoffpauir was converted when very young and joined the Methodist church soon after his conversion. He was a devoted and loyal member of his Church. He was educated in the public schools of Lafayette and attended Centenary College, which was at that time in Jackson, Louisiana. In the summer of 1904, at the age of 24 years, he was licensed to preach. He was admitted on trial into the Louisiana Annual Conference at the session of 1906 and ordained deacon the same year. Two years later, 1908, he was ordained elder. During his ministry Brother Hoffpauir served the following charges in the order named: Glenmora, Pineville, Bell City, Plaquemine, and Natalbany. He served for some time as pastor fn California following the last appointment named. A list of the California appointments have not been obtained. Returning to Louisiana, Brother Hoffpauir served Grand Cane, Gretna, Blackwater, Cotton Valley, and Gilbert. He was married to Miss Lena Victoria Calk of Pollock, Louisiana, August 10th, 1902. Three children were born to this union, Inez Hill, Seth Ward, and Mary Alice Burg. His wife died during the year 1908. He married Miss Eleanor Worley of Slidell, Louisiana, in 1919. To this union two children were born, Dan Wesley and Jewell Lee. These, with his wife, remain to mourn his loss. Brother Hoffpauir was a devoted husband and father. He rendered faithful, diligent service as a true minister to the Church and to his Lord. He was a splendid preacher and a faithful pastor. He preached with evangelistic power the gospel of the Son of god. It was the privilege of the writer to be closely associated with Brother Hoffpauir for several years. He had the rare quality of complete loyalty to his friends. He had always a word of good cheer, a handshake of sympathy, and a smile of friendly greeting for those among whom he served. He seemed to have no enemies and no prejudices nor malice against anyone. The writer does not recall ever having heard him speak words of harshness or of criticism against the Church or against its leadership. He stood for what he considered righteous principles, and with his devoted wife he reared his children in the atmosphere of spirituality and grace in the Church he loved so well. Brother Hoffpauir’s ministry in the Gilbert charge was very fruitful. it is doubtful if he was ever happier in all his ministry than during the months of his service there. His church members were devoted to him and he had hosts of friends in other churches. He was expecting the most successful year of his life at the time the Master might call, it seemed to many of those who knew him well that he might have had many more years of fruitful ministry. All of Brother Hoffpauir’s ministry was based on a definite religious experience. His entire ministerial life was built upon that. Faithful, loyal, and true, we who are left will miss this man of God. He has gone to his reward having served well his day and generation. We lift our hearts in reconsecration to Almighty God. To this friend who has gone on before us, we who expect to meet him beyond this earthly life, say, “Hail brother and farewell; Farewell brother and hail.” |
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| Source: Journal of the Louisiana Conference of the Methodist Church, Pages 104-105, 1947 by Elmer C. Gunn. | |
