Jd Pepper

J. Dean Pepper, 75, of San Angelo, passed away on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Saturday, July 27, 2024 at South Georgia Baptist Church, 5209 S. Georgia St. with Pastor Mike Martin and Karen Wells officiating. Graveside services will be at 2:30 PM Saturday at Shamrock Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 PM Friday at Cox-Rowley Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive.

JD was born August 16, 1948 in Shamrock, Texas to J.L. and Frankie Pepper, and was welcomed by sister Kathryn and brother Tommy Dale. He spent his early years on the farm hoeing and picking cotton, driving the tractor, and working cattle on horseback. He loved sports from an early age, and played football, basketball, golf, and throwing shot and discus in high school. He graduated from Shamrock High School with the Class of ’66, and served as their senior class president, setting the stage for serving in that same capacity with many other organizations during his lifetime. He was happiest when he was telling a joke to a group of people. He was ornery and sometimes a little obnoxious. No one was exempt from his teasing. After high school, JD went on to college at West Texas State University where he received a bachelor degree in Agricultural Business in spite of being told by his high school counselor that he “was not college material”.

On January 20, 1968, JD married Elizabeth Wofford and they made their home in Canyon until he graduated. Graduation was in 1970 and Lee DeAn was born in May of 1971, followed by Kevin Scott in December of 1974. After a brief stint at Diamond Shamrock, JD found his calling at Weeks & Bagwell Grain in Claude in a management position. He spent 30 years in the grain business, retiring as area manager for Attebury Grain. He spent the next five years as a financial advisor at both Merrill Lynch and JP Morgan Chase before retiring for good.

Most of JD’s extra time was spent coaching softball for DeAn or coaching football for Kevin. After Kevin graduated and went on to play football for Angelo State, weekends were for traveling to games across the country. Then grandchildren came along and time was spent as a spectator for their events. A few years before his brother Tommy died, the two of them decided to go into the ranching business together. Those were some of JD’s favorite years, but he missed his brother so the ranch wasn’t as much fun for him. However, he still missed his cows up until he died.

JD was very active in the community in his younger years, serving as president of the Amarillo Jaycees, Claude Chamber of Commerce, Claude Lion’s Club, City of Claude mayor, as well as Citizen of the Year, Past director and president of the Panhandle Grain and Feed Association, and past director of the National Grain and Feed Association. JD and Liz spent their life together in Canyon, Claude, Tulia, Amarillo, and finally San Angelo. JD was active in his church as deacon and Sunday school teacher. JD loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, his family, his church, and his country. He loved his wife, children, and grandchildren well, and was a good provider and protector. He was bigger than life and has left a huge void.

JD was preceded in death by his parents, as well as his brother and sister.

He leaves behind his wife of 56 years, Liz Pepper; their children, DeAn and Shane Sellman, and Kevin and Maggie Pepper; his sisters-in-law, Jane Strategier and Diana Pepper. His pride and joy were his grandchildren, Brenna (James) Martinez, Blake (Erin) Smith, Chloe (Christian) Smith, Loren Pepper, Nathan Pepper, and two bonus grandsons, Carter Sellman and Grant Sellman. His precious great-grandchildren are Violet Martinez and Ivy Smith, as well as one great-granddaughter on the way.

The family suggests memorial donations may be made to South Georgia Baptist Church, 5209 S. Georgia St. Amarillo, TX 79110; or to First Baptist Church of San Angelo, 37 E. Harris Ave. San Angelo, TX 76903.