James Edward Pepper

James (Jim) E. Pepper passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on June 24, 2026, at the age of 68. Jim courageously faced many health issues beginning at the age of 54. He felt deeply blessed to have been given 14 additional years of life through a double lung transplant that he received at the Cleveland Clinic from his donor, Jamie.

Jim was born on April 13, 1958, to William (Bill) A. Pepper and Ellen (Nunnie) Nunn Pepper in Columbus, Ohio. He lived his entire life in Columbus, spending most of those years in Upper Arlington.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his mother-in-law, Sandra Lee (Blum) Philput; his father-in-law, James A. Nicklis; and his brother-in-law, James (Nicklis Jr.) A. Philput, and nephews Travis Johnson, and Johnathan Nicklis.

He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Janette (Jan) Pepper of Upper Arlington; his daughter, Erica (Liam) Fitzgerald, of Cincinnati, Ohio; his brother, Bill Pepper of Uncertain, Texas; his sister, Becki (Daren) Horton of Uncertain, Texas; and his niece, Ashley Pepper of Rockledge, Florida. Jim is also survived by his mother-in-law, Joy Nicklis of Columbus, Ohio; sisters-in-law Kathy (Rick) Shirk of Circleville, Ohio, Tammy (John) Brown of Chillicothe, Ohio, Pammy (Rick) Owens of Circleville, Ohio, and Florence Nicklis of Columbus, Ohio; brothers-in-law Teddy (Pam) Philput of Chippewa Lake, Ohio, and Jamie (Catina) Nicklis of Glenford, Ohio; cousins Sally (Steve) Nelson of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and Betsy (Doug) Lesher of Knoxville, Tennessee; many nieces and nephews; and his beloved Golden Retriever, Carley.

Jim was a 1976 graduate of Upper Arlington High School. He earned an Associate Degree in Business Data Processing from Columbus Technical Institute and a Bachelor Degree in Computer Management from Franklin University. He spent his entire career in Information Technology, beginning at Interactive Information Systems, a small computer company, and later helping establish the IT department at Arthur Treacher’s Fish and Chips in Columbus. Jim went on to serve as a loyal associate of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company for more than 34 years, where he was instrumental in deploying new technologies throughout the company.

Jim loved to read and built an extensive library of religious books, including many versions of the Bible. He also loved classic rock and roll and christian music, and he enjoyed sharing his deep knowledge of rock and roll with anyone who showed an interest.

A devoted man of faith, Jim was an active member of both Trinity United Methodist Church and Riverside Church. Over the years, he taught and led many Bible studies. He especially enjoyed making palm crosses for Palm Sunday services at both churches, often making more than 600 crosses each year. Jim was also active in his daughter’s high school music career, serving as both President and Treasurer of the Upper Arlington Vocal Music Boosters.

Jim enjoyed vacationing in Port Clinton, Ohio; Hilton Head, South Carolina; and Isle of Palms, South Carolina. Among his most meaningful trips were visits to the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove in Asheville, North Carolina, and the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Calling hours will be held on July 5th, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Schoedinger Northwest Chapel, 1740 Zollinger Road, Columbus, Ohio 43221. A funeral service will be held at Riverside Church, 2701 Zollinger Road, Columbus, Ohio 43221, at 11:00 a.m. on July 6th, 2026, with the Reverend David Cady officiating. Interment immediately follow the service at Union Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Jim’s memory to Riverside Church.

Online: https://www.riversidechurchua.com/give

In person or by mail: 2701 Zollinger Road, Columbus, Ohio 43221