Reverend Paul Fredrick Napier, 62, closed his eyes in this world and opened them in the next on August 16 after a brief illness. The son and grandson of Lutheran pastors, Rev. Napier was born Oct. 17, 1954 in St Louis, MO. He lived in Jackson, TN until 1965 when the family moved to Adelphi, MD. He was a graduate of High Point High School in Beltsville, MD, earned a BA in Political Science from the University of MD, held a Master of Divinity degree from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, and numerous professional certifications. During 37 years of ministry in the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod he served churches in Muskegon, MI; Seaford, DE; Hampton, VA; Norfolk, VA, and Urbanna, VA.
Rev. Napier loved God's word and it guided and motivated him to live his life with a level of integrity and compassion rare in today's world. He was a widely read life long learner and an avid photographer. Nature's beauty and music of all kinds brought him joy. As a college student he marched with the University of MD Marching band. He sang with the Virginia Choral Society for ten years, enjoyed participation in annual Tuba Christmas performances, and recently played with the Peninsula Community Band.
He was predeceased by his parents, Rev. Carl and Ruth Napier. Left to cherish his memory and comforted by the assurance of his eternal life, are his wife of 34 years, Dawn (Mellenthine) Napier, son John Napier of Arlington, daughter Jenna Napier of Hampton, brother Philip (Lisan) Napier of Fredericksburg, niece Amilie Napier of Blacksburg, nephew Alexander Napier of Norfolk, sister-in-law Nancy Chapin of Niagara Falls, NY, Aunts Thelma Napier and Virginia Kroeter of Quincy, IL, and many cousins and friends.
Visitation will be at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home in Hampton Sunday, Aug. 20 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. Funeral services Monday, Aug. 21, 11:00 am at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 765 J. Clyde Morris Blvd., Newport News, the Rev. William Hollar officiating.Interment will follow in Parklawn Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to Concordia Seminary, MO, 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, MO 63105 ( www.csl.edu ); Trinity Lutheran Church, Virginia Street, Urbanna, VA 23175; or the Pastor's Discretionary Fund at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 765 J. Clyde Morris Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601.