Rev. Donald W. Knapp

The Reverend (Lt. Colonel, retired, U.S. Army Reserves) Donald Walter Knapp (Don), 89, of Beaver, Pennsylvania, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, October 2, 2022. Born in Grove City, Pennsylvania on January 24, 1933, he was the second child of Joseph Paul and Thelma Violet Pulliam Knapp. Don’s wife of over 62 years, Beverly, passed away in June. He was also preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Bruce and Rodger Knapp. Don is survived by three children: James Daniel (Rosalie) Knapp, D. Bethann Knapp, and Colonel (U.S. Army) David Chester (Leyza) Knapp; 4 grandchildren, James Daniel (Manon) Knapp II, Ainsley Knapp, Leyna Grace Knapp and Leyah Mai Knapp; and 2 great-grandchildren, Emma and James Daniel Knapp III. He is also survived by a brother, Gordon (Donna) Knapp, a sister, Janet (Robert) Graham, three brothers-in-law, Hugh Allen Jenkins, Gerald Jenkins, and Robert Jenkins, and two sisters-in-law, Joan Knapp and Carol Knapp, as well as many nieces and nephews. Don loved the Lord Jesus Christ and never retired from the ministry. He preached his last sermon two weeks before he went to be with the Lord, at Morado Faith Tabernacle Church in Beaver Falls. Don accepted Christ at age 9 and was baptized in the cold spring water of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Corsica, PA. His parents and grandparents were a wonderful, positive influence on his life and his Grandmother Pulliam sent him letters encouraging him to “Preach the Word.” Don loved to sing hymns and praises to the Lord. Don enjoyed spending time in the summers with his grandparents and was quite fond of his Grandfather Knapp’s two horses, Prince and Don, and well as his own dog Lady. He played basketball in high school and played the tuba in marching band and the clarinet in concert band. He also sang in the Glee Club and school choir. After a brief time at Penn State Forestry School, he transferred to the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in History and minoring in Math and Social Studies, doing his student teaching at Schenley High School. Don completed Life Guard training in college and won an award for his calmness under water during Life Guard exercises. Don then attended and graduated from Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky (1956-1959). During his time in seminary he met and later married his bride, Anna Beverly Jenkins, who was a student nurse at Kentucky Baptist Hospital, where Don worked part time as a porter. Don also worked part time as a Fuller Brush salesman during his time in seminary. Don’s first church was in Woodstock, Virginia. He also pastored in Roanoke, Virginia; Schenectady, NY; Beaver, PA; South Franklin, PA; Economy, PA; and Beaver Falls, PA. For many years Don, along with his wife Bev, were Home Missionaries for the Southern Baptist Convention. Don was commissioned a First Lieutenant (Chaplain) in the U.S. Army Reserves and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel (Chaplain). He also was a substitute teacher for a number of years in many schools throughout Beaver County, PA, where he had a positive influence on his students. Don and his wife Beverly volunteered for many years at Contact Beaver County. Don also worked at Antietam Recreation Camp in Hagerstown, MD during the summers as a camp counselor. He had various roles at camp including being the nature counselor, using his knowledge gained during forestry school to help campers identify trees and wildflowers. He also led camp devotions each morning. He loved kids and had a great influence on many young people. Don loved God’s Word and read his Bible and prayed and communed with God every day. One of his favorite Scripture passages was John 11:25-26. Don was a Christian, a kind man, a loving husband of over 62 years, and a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He enjoyed being out in nature and loved animals and taking walks. Don will be missed by all, but we can rest assured he is in Heaven with the Lord Jesus Christ, passed on to Glory. Friends will be received Sunday, October 9, 2022 from 4 PM-7 PM in the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third St., Beaver 15009. A funeral service will take place at First Presbyterian Church, 252 College Avenue, Beaver, PA 15009 on Monday, October 10,2022 at 11 AM. Online condolences may be shared at www.nollfuneral.com.