Harold Wayne Pepper: 1929-2012

Harold Wayne Pepper, 83, left this Earth to go to his Eternal home on October 28, 2012.  Born May 24, 1929 on the family homestead north of Weston, Missouri, he was the only child to the late Aneta Steele and W.B. Pepper Jr. While growing up, Harold helped his father work the same family farm five generations of his family had previously.

He was a lively boy and enjoyed telling stories about his youth and the ornery adventures he and his friends had.  He attended the Salem Christian Church in his earlier years, where his father was the long-time Sunday school superintendent, and attended Weston schools where he graduated from in 1948.

He married Martha Jean Lawrence on December 15, 1950 at the First Christian Church in St. Joseph, Missouri. They celebrated their 61^st anniversary last year.

Harold was a veteran of the Korean War where he saw combat action. Private Pepper was a member of the 780^th Field Artillery Battalion. He was later promoted to Corporal, earning three service stars and a Meritorious Achievement award. 

When his tour of duty ended in 1953, he returned home to farm the land he grew up on, hauling livestock, water, and even raising cattle for a period of time. He would make this his life’s work. In 1954, he and Jean had their first child, Dan, followed by their second, John, two years later. Dan and John grew up working the farm alongside Harold, just as he had with his father. Harold was also a member of the Masonic Lodge A.F. & A.M. in DeKalb.

Harold loved spending time with his family, talking about tractors, tools, and the history of Weston. He was a man of simple tastes; enjoying a warm cup of coffee or cold beer, reading various local newspapers, driving his truck, and catching up in conversation. He will be remembered for his unique laugh and sense of humor, interest in agriculture, and love for animals.

Harold is preceded in death by his parents Aneta Steele and W.B. Pepper Jr., and long-time beloved pet cats Teetle and Peanuts.

Harold is survived by his two doting and caring sons, Dan Pepper and wife Kris of DeKalb, MO and John Pepper of Kansas City, MO.  He has four grandchildren, Rachel Pepper and Jason of Platte City, MO, Hannah Thornton and Matt of St. Joseph, MO, Matt Pepper of Kansas City, MO, and Ben Pepper of Kansas City, MO.  He also has one step great granddaughter, Aubrey Thornton. 

The family will receive friends on Thursday, November 1, 2012 at 10 a.m. at Vaughn’s Funeral Home in Weston, Missouri followed by a funeral at 11 a.m. to celebrate his life.  Interment, with military honors, will be at Mount Bethel Cemetery, Weston, Missouri. 

Memorial donations may be provided to the Missouri Veterans Home in Cameron, Missouri.