Mrs. Pepper,

I'm not sure if you will recieve this or not, but Keli and I (Chanda) rented a home from the Peppers on Arkansas while I was going to school.  Mr. Pepper was a wonderful, caring man.  I remember when I called him screaming about a mouse that had gotten in the house from the field across from us.  He came to get it because I wasn't getting off the arm of the chair.  

He was always a pleasant person, and Keli and I always reminisce about the Peppers and the hospitality that Mr. Pepper gave us while renting one of his homes.  

We will truly miss him.  Mrs. Pepper, you and your husband are and will always be in our thoughts and prayers.

Chanda Wilson

Jim Pepper – a Real Saint
In the church we use the term “saint” to mean many things.  I’m sure Jim Pepper would be the first to give a hearty laugh if he heard me describe him as a real saint.  But that is just what Jim has always been to our family.
When our son Drew was five or six years old he wanted a castle for Christmas.  He talked about it frequently and no doubt talked about it when he played with Katie Pepper at her home.  Susan and I looked for a castle, but they weren’t as common twenty five years ago.  No Lego castles or the other fancy toys they now make were on the market.  So after much searching, we gave up on that idea, knowing that Drew would have a big Christmas any way.
On Christmas Eve we attend church at Pleasant Valley, as we have every year.  After the service we were talking with Jim and Diane.  Jim came up to me and said “I’ve got the castle out in the car.”  I was perplexed and said, “What do you mean”?  Jim said “come on out and I’ll show you”. We went out to the parking lot and Jim opened the trunk of whatever big Cadillac he was driving at the time.  In the trunk was a large, stone colored four tower castle with a castle keep tower in the middle.  It had walkways for the archers and even had a draw bridge.  “What is this?”  I said.  Jim answered, “It’s a castle for Drew”.”  
I was flabbergasted.  “Where did you get it?”  Jim chuckled and said, “I made it.”  I thanked him profusely and we transferred the castle to our car.  
Christmas morning Drew was overcome with excitement as he saw the castle under the stockings along with the rest of Santa Claus’ presents. “It’s a real castle”, was his judgment.
In the years since that Christmas, we re-tell the story almost every year.  Especially when someone talks about friends who think they shouldn’t promote the fantasy of Santa Claus, or who are cynical about his existence, our response is always:  “they never met Jim Pepper.” Jim Pepper was to us the living embodiment of a saint: Saint Nicholas.

The first time I ever met Jim Pepper, his daughter Kate and I worked at a natural food store, and he came to visit her. Earlier that day, I had painstakingly made little samples of something in little paper cups (I can't remember what), for customers to try, and he proceeded to eat all of them. That was my first experience with Big Jim. And Big Jim says it all. He did everything to the fullest extent he could do it. His art was bigger than life, his generosity was bigger than life, his perfectionism was bigger than life, and his temper was bigger than life.

He hired me later, when I think many might not have, and I spent some summers and other seasons mowing lawns and cleaning houses for his rental business. I don't think anyone has ever had a higher standard for cleaning a stove. He helped me move, helped me with so many things, I can't even begin to describe. I loved the way he would always say, "Hi kid!", even though I am not much of a kid, he genuinely loved people, and his voice conveyed his caring.

I love it, Diane, that you have the home that he built for you on the hill by the river: the winding paths, exquisite stonework and warm wood ceilings. I know that this expression of his art and love for you embraced the two of you together for not neary long enough, but will be of comfort to you with his legacy of beauty.

It makes me mad that he had to go. He really should not be allowed to do that. 

What a towering giant of a man, and how cool he was to have lived and expressed himself so fully. I am so grateful to have known Jim Pepper.

To Kate, Diane, and the rest of the family, My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

This is sad news indeed. There never was or ever will be another man like Jimbo. The world will miss him as will I.

Jim was my hardware rep. when I owned and operated True Value Hardware in Anthony, KS. Always looked forward to his visits, he was a kind and witty gentleman.

To the Pepper-Louis Family,  We are so sorry to hear about Jim.  You are in our thoughts and prayers.  GOD BLESS YOU ALL.  The Hooper Family

Having Jim in the family for the past 40 years was truly a blessing.  Jim placed care for his family and country above all.  We will miss his humor and good nature.  If anyone ever needed a helping hand, they could count on Jim.  He was "one of a kind" and will be fondly remembered.

To the Pepper Clan,
      This comes quite a shock to me.  Having taken care of James not to long ago at the Kansas Heart Hospital, he was looking pretty good at that time.  I thought everyone was as far as that goes.  Having grown up right along side of most of the Pepper family, I feel I've lost a very good friend.  There was hardly a time I can remember where Jim wasn't smiling and cutting up with us.   He really made me feel like one of the gang.  Actually, you all did.   Jim and family will always have a place in my heart.   
             From an old friend,   
             Vic

Joni, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your father. I stumbled upon the obituary when I saw an Oliphant in there. No relative luckily. My mother died 8 mos. ago and, my dad 18 years ago. I feel for you and your family. I met your dad a few times when I'd spend the night at your house. He was a nice man. From what everyone has said about him is surely to be in heaven. I hope your happy memories of your dad will carry you through this time and give you joy in your heart. There will be good and bad days. Know that your dad loves you. And keep him always in your heart. It's been along time. Mary Oliphant Weiser Take care

Dear Tim,

I am so very sorry about the sudden loss of your Dad.  I am thinking of you and your family.

Take care and God Bless!
Stacey

My names is James Carney. My friends and family know me as "Moby in the Morning".
I host a network country music radio program out of Georgia. 
I've been working with Tim, and his hearing aid business for a good while now, and I just wanted to add my sympathy to the outpouring the Pepper family is no doubt receiving during this very sad time. God bless all of you, and grant Jim safe passage to the Heavenly reward he earned during his all to brief time on Earth.
I'm sure we'll all meet again some glorious day. 
Jim, if you're reading this, please tell my mom & dad hello for me, and that I'll be along soon enough.
Written & signed with love,
MOBY

         Phone Calls From Jim

"Hey Kids, What's been going on?" his calls would often start,
A mix of jest and understanding, questions from the heart.
We'd talk about intriguing things, and memories of kin,
Of silly things, and funny things, of family and friends. 

We'd laugh for minutes or for hours, but when it all was through,
He'd end most ceremoniously, "Kids, good talking to you."
He'd say that he "had to go", but "we would talk again,"
Then all too soon we realized, his jovial calls would end,

Cause early Sunday morning, Jim had stepped on through life's door,
To be with those who'd gone before, now gathering on the shore,
With hugs of congratulations and cheers of, "Jim,you've made it", 
As Jesus say, "Welcome home, my Son, you good and faithful servant".

With those who live forever in a peaceful, perfect place, 
Eternally in Jesus' light, past loved ones to embrace,
And to get reaquainted with those righteous gone away,
Like Erma, G.C., Joan and Bob, Joyce, Jerry and L.A.,

To heaven's greeters, now assembled, perhaps he would dart,
"Hey Kids, What's been going on since we've been apart?"
But to those of us, still earth-bound, a message from the heart,
"I had to go," I think he'd say, but I had a marvelous stay," and,
"Kids, it's been good talking to you; We'll just talk another day."

(To memoralize the early morning graduation to Heaven of James Allen Pepper, who will be greatly missed!) 
             Much love to the Family,

                  Brigita Pepper

Dear Grampa,

 It has been a very tough week this week.  That's the one thing that has brought the family together to be there for your love.  I can feel that you have already walked through the gates of the kingdom of heaven.  I feel so much happier that you are at peace.
 You were always the one to make me laugh and of course make me smile.  No one could ever compare to you, Grampa.  Just your smile would brighten the room.  And that laugh, good Lord, your laugh was just funny enough.  I always looked forward to your stories and the reaction of the family.  Which of course, was laughter.
 I know that some day I will loook back and wonder.  Why you, why then.  Why us.  But you know everything happens for a reason.  I won't look back regretting anything because Grampa, you are a good man and good things will happen for you.  I will never forget you, Grampa.  I tried as hard as I possible could to be strong for you and the family.  I was raised to be tough and I intended to be and I will continue to be for you.  I love you, Grampa.

Hayden.  The Good Looking One.

Grandpa,
 
I'm so happy that you are not suffering anymore, and am happy you are in a better place. I'm sad to see you go, but am happy that after a long life of hard work, and raising 6 kids you are now resting.
 
Out of my 26 years of life, I have nothing but good memories of you.  From calling me on my birthday and singing happy birthday, to drawing "art" all over my hands when I was young, with permanent marker at times. I was happy with it but think mom was less than thrilled about all the scrubbing she had to do.
 
Going to your house as a kid was a treat. You practically had an outdoor play ground in your back yard : from trails of never ending stone paths that led to a playhouse with an amazing slide, a garage, the house, some other buildings here and there that you constructed, to what seemed as deep woods, with a river at the end.   I remember finding a snake one time on the river. I brought it up to the house to show you what I had caught. I brought it in the garage where you were, and you said calmly to me, from a distance, "Garrett, take that back to the river if you ever want to come over again." I learned on that day that you had a less than favorable view of snakes.
 
The last time I talked to you was this past Christmas. You talked to me for a good 30 minutes about having my heart procedure done. You said you were going to check up on me and make sure I get it done. You stuck to your word and checked up on me. So I will keep my word and get it done ASAP.
 
As an employee of Wichita Fire Department, they are having your name engraved in a brick, and placed at the Kansas Fire Museum on South Broadway, near your old rental properties. I figured that was fitting, giving your years of stone and mud work on Cromwell.
 
We say goodbye to you for now, but will someday see you again. It is comforting knowing you are looking over us, through good times and bad. I will remember you as a loving grandfather whose laugh brightened the room.
 
I love you dearly.
Garrett

Dad

 You taught me very early in life the importance of the working man's way and just as important was the gift of laughter!  For example, you told me in a very somber voice, “Son, my chest is falling down into my stomach,” and then he looked down at his stomach and made a weird face.  Yes, I started to cry.  Then with a massive blast of laughter he explained that he was just getting a bit of a gut and this his chest wasn't going anywhere!
  Thanks a lot, Dad!
 Therefore, laying the ground work for a lifetime of cutting up myself!
 
 These last 5 years have been very special for Peggy and me.  We absolutely loved getting together for great food, cards(Golf), time with Betty, laughter, stories of old times, football games, basketball games, U.S. Open Golf or Masters, March Madness, or World Series!
 We thank you for making us laugh so much.  We love you to pieces and thank God for every day we had with you!
 I think you were a great Dad and will miss you very much!
 Peggy says she loves you Daddy-O.

Love,

David (Little Davey)

Beloved Grandfather,

    The news of your passing is nonetheless difficult to handle. The Saturday when Mom called me giving me the news of what happened, Courtney and I immediately packed and were on the road an hour after receiving the phone call to be with you. I cherish all of my wonderful memories I have had with you. Like many of your grand kids, I looked forward to Thanksgivings and Christmas's to be with you and the family. We always had laughs listening to everyone's stories and watching you laugh so hard you would cry.
    One of my many memories I have of you when I was younger was when I purchased a cheap metal detector from Wal-Mart and you wanted me to find the sprinkler heads in the front yard. You had walked out there with me to give me an idea where each head may have been. We had traced the entire outline of your enormous front yard, at my age then it seems like it went on forever. We both had no luck so you decided that lunch was in order for our attempts. I have a hard time remembering what we had but I do remember that Grandma asked me if I wanted to run some errands with you and her to the properties. We climbed in the car and I can remember the excitement that was stewing inside of me. At last, I get to see one of the houses my Dad talks about. The best part was that I was with you and Grandma. When the opportunity rose to spend the day with you and Grandma all to myself, I wanted to make the best of it. So spending the day at Grandpa's "work" was the best!
    Many times you would draw faces on my hand, sometimes both front and back. Needless to say, Mom expected the inevitable but still gave us the talks to not let Grandpa draw on our hands with industrial permanent ink. Like most kids, we didn’t listen to Mom because the faces were worth the hard scrubbing when we got home. I also remember after that talk from Mom, I told you that I couldn’t have a face on my hand but you insisted that it would be a small one that Mom wouldn’t even notice. Long story short, it consumed my entire hand.
    The calls I would get from you and Grandma on my birthday are ones I will never forget. You two would sing a beautiful rendition of “Happy Birthday” every year. Not to forget how you would over dramatize the “buh buh buh buuuuuhm.” I would get the biggest kick out of your birthday calls.
    Every Christmas growing up, I would get toys that required a lot assembly. I would come home with toys like K’Nex and erector sets. You and Grandma bought me a 4½’ K’Nex crane that took me two days to assemble. I had to take it to school and show off the best Christmas gift ever from you and Grandma. As I grew up, the toys turned to tools. From hammers to ratchet sets, I quickly saw the pattern developing. Like yourself, you worked with your hands and it even showed in your gifts to us grand kids. Toys the required thinking and a basic know how of mechanics.
    Like many others, it is hard to let go. I find comfort in the fact that you are finally at rest after years of knuckle busting work and raising your six children. I will miss your laugh, your smile and our outlandish stories. I only wish I could have played a round of golf with the Jim Pepper legend. Next time I see you, I will have my clubs with me and eager for a challenge. I love you dearly Grandfather. You will be missed but not forgotten.


Love,
Colton

Michelle, Steve and Family,
We extend our dearest thoughts and prayers to your entire family for your tragic loss of a father and grandfather. What a great role model for all! God Bless You!

Jim always made us smile and was a ture man of his word. He refered to himself as the better looking Mr. Pepper. You'll be missed but not forgotten Jim

The crew at Kansasland

Dear Dad,

It’s difficult to put into words what I’m feeling now. For selfish reasons I don’t want to let you go but I know you must and like always I accept your decision. I’m thinking back on your life and the way it touched mine.

When I was a young boy you’d bring me along in the summer months on your travels peddling hardware in your territory which included most of Kansas and some of Oklahoma . Those trips were some of the most memorable times I had with you. We’d leave town on Monday around 5:00 am and in most cases not return until the next Friday evening. 

Oh, the memories. When I went with you, like most young children, I’d pack most my bedroom and anything else I could sneak into the car. You’d indulge me by staying in a hotel with a pool but when it was just yourself you’d practically stay in a rest stop to save a buck.

On those trips I was introduced to the Kansas Highway Patrol, Taco Tico burritos and cattle prods. All very unique memories that I will hold and cherish the rest of my life.    The most important thing I want to thank you for is you making me the man I am and teaching me the work ethics that I hold close to my being. I’ve taken that very seriously and I too pass that on to my boys that I know make you very proud.  

I love you so my Father and it’s very hard to let you go but I have comfort knowing you will always be with me because after all I was built by you. Until we meet again my Friend, I love you so.

Kate, Charles and Family,
We were very sorry to hear of your father's untimely passing. You have our sincere condolences. If there is anything we can do for you, please do not hesitate to let us know.

To The Pepper Family ,So sorry to here the lost of Mr.Pepper. He was a very Loving,kind Man and always had a warm smile,and had a very good Heart of Gold . Words cannot express the pain one feels when you lose your Loved one , but just know that "God" only takes the Best for his Beautiful Garden and Mr.Pepper was indeed a Beautiful Flower . Our Prayers are with you all . 
Love Ronnie & Wanda Cook 
and in 
Memory of : M.C. & Essie Dillard

OBITUARIO

James Jim - Big Guy A. Pepper

9 noviembre, 1934 – 13 febrero, 2011

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