The Rev. Raymond C. Knapp, 90, a long-time active resident of the Lodi community, changed his permanent address to Heaven on May 3, 2010.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Louise, in 1998 and his son-in-law, Richard Satterlee in 2009.

Fr. Knapp was born in Acme, Wyoming August 23, 1919 and raised with his sister, Vera, in Sheridan, Wyoming.

He earned his BA degree in English from Hastings College, Hastings, Nebraska and served in the Armed Forces (USAAF), in the Pacific Theater from June 1942 to October 1945.

He married Louise Kidd November 4, 1945.

He received his Master of Divinity from Philadelphia Divinity School in June 1949. He was ordained to the deaconate August 20, 1948 and the priesthood August 30, 1949 in Wyoming.

He served as Vicar of St James Episcopal Church in Kemmerer, Wyoming and St Bartholomew's Episcopal Church in Cokeville, Wyoming; Rector of St Luke's, Buffalo, Wyoming; chaplain to Episcopal students at the University of Wyoming, in Laramie; Rector of the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, Delano, California; and Rector of St John the Baptist Episcopal Church in Lodi, California.

Since retiring in 1987, he served 27 parishes and missions in the Diocese of San Joaquin as Supply Priest or Interim Priest, as well as Interim Chaplain for ST. Joseph's Medical Center in Stockton, CA. At the time of his 50th anniversary of ordination to the Priesthood, he was named Rector Emeritus of St John the Baptist in Lodi. During his 60+ years of ministry, Fr. Knapp served in many capacities in dioceses and communities. While in Lodi, he was instrumental in the inception of the Loel Center and served on the Board of Directors of the Loel Foundation as Vice-President for 10 years and President for 11 years.

He was a member of the Lodi Rotary Club, S.T.A.R.S. program, the Order of St Luke (a Healing Order) since 1972, and was active in the Lodi Ministerial Association.

He is survived by two daughters, Candy Satterlee of Cupertino, California and Melanie Knapp-Cook, along with her husband, CSM (P) Kevin M. Cook of Anchorage, Alaska where they are currently stationed; 3 grandchildren, Kevin Book-Satterlee (Leah), Jennifer Satterlee and Alexis (Lexi) Cook; and one great-granddaughter, Eliana Book-Satterlee.

Fr. Knapp loved life and loved serving the Lord. In celebration of that, there will be a memorial Requiem Eucharist on May 30, 2010 at 3PM at St John the Baptist Episcopal Church in Lodi, California, 1055 S. Lower Sacramento Road, Lodi, CA 95242, with Bishop Jerry Lamb celebrating. Internment of ashes and presenting of military honors will complete the service, followed by a reception, all at St John's.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. John's building fund with a designation for a plant or plaque to be placed in a future memorial garden.

The Sheridan Press - May 14, 2010.