Troy Rex Klepper

1930 - 2026

Troy Rex Klepper, 96, a lifelong resident of Kress, Tx, passed away on February 21, 2026. Services were held on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Northwest Church of Christ with Elder Van Miller, Officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Bartley Funeral Home.

He was born to Burnett Clyde Klepper and Etha Willard Klepper on February 12, 1930, Southwest of Kress, Tx.

After graduating from Kress High School Troy was drafted into the US Army. He completed his basic training at Fort Hood, Tx and then was transferred to Breckenridge Kentucky where he attended Mechanic School and then returned to Fort Hood for the remainder of his time. In 1951, he was discharged from the US Army due to hardship and returned to the Klepper farm, where he farmed for Seventy years. Troy purchased several farms over the years, one of which was in Happy, Texas, where he dug an 880 foot deep well in the Santa Rosa formation. Troy also raised cattle and ostriches for many years. In the middle Seventies he built a modified tractor in his farm shop, in which he and his son, Craig, entered and won many tractor pulls throughout Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. This included one of which he won first place Southwest Championship in Fort Worth, Tx. He also won Second place in the All American Futurity in San Antonio, Tx. He was filmed and featured in the Wide World of Sports in the Houston Astrodome. Southwest Airlines Magazine also featured Troy for his participation and many wins throughout his tractor pulling career. Troy was President of the Texas Tractor Pull Association and President of the Texas Independent Garage Association of Plainview for several years. In 1997 he formed and operated T&K Trucking, Inc. in which he hauled for numerous companies including Pioneer Seed for thirty years, United Supermarkets, and Frito Lay. He also hauled milk for several years. He has resided in Plainview, TX since 2011 where he was an active member of the Northwest Church of Christ, Plainview Country Club, the Elks Lodge and the YMCA.

Troy is survived by his dog Dana; his daughters Vickie Klepper Wall of Crowley, TX, Ladonna Klepper of Fort Worth, TX; son, Troy Craig Klepper and Karen Clayton of Kress, TX; grandson Jimmy Wall of Crowley, TX; granddaughter Kay Wall Haswell and husband Allen of Burleson, TX; three great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren, and several nephews and nieces.

Proceeded in death by his father, B. C. Klepper, mother, Etha Willard Klepper, sisters, Ozel Klepper Dugan and Bernice Klepper Vineyard, grandson Kleve Klepper and great-grandson Jamie Wall.

Memorials can be made to Kress Cemetery.