Jay Darrell Peper

Born to Vincent and Zola Peper on July 26, 1951, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jay grew up in a beautiful and loving home. Jay was the youngest of four siblings, the baby of the family. He had a close relationship with his brothers and sister.

At an early age he came to know the love of Christ and his faith continued throughout his life. This love of the Lord was evident in how he cared for and regarded all of God's creations. He enjoyed tending to his garden, taking in stray animals and pets, and most evident was in the way he loved his family.

Jay never shied from a new adventure or experience. As a young man he enjoyed surfing and scuba diving and as he grew older, despite health issues, he still found ways to be adventurous-whether that was tinkering in his work shop, planning his next business opportunity, or experimenting in the kitchen with new foods and recipes.

Jay would be quick to say that his greatest adventure and love was his family. Jay met Kathleen Shorb in their childhood years in Costa Mesa. Later in life that friendship rekindled and grew into love. They married in on August 20th, 1983. With love, wisdom, and patience, Jay and Kathy brought together their sons and daughter from previous marriages. To complete their beautiful family Jay and Kathy had their youngest child together, Nicholas. Jay and Kathy recently celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary.

Jay is survived by his wife, Kathleen, and his sons and daughter, Sean, Christopher, Jacob, Jeromie, Lacie, Joshua, and Nicholas. He is also survived by sixteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, his brother, Michael, and sister, Kim, as well as several extended family members and dear friends. Jay is preceded in death by his father and mother, Vincent and Zola Peper, and his brother, Timothy.

The family of Jay will celebrate his life on April 6th, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. at Miller-Jones Mortuary (1501 W Florida Ave) in Hemet, California. The family will be honored to have family and friends join them in this memorial. A reception and interment will follow.