Obituary of Jess W. Pepple

Jess W. Pepple, age 85, passed away peacefully at his home in Ashburn VA, surrounded by his family on Thursday, May 31, 2018.  He was born on August 29, 1932 in Sumner Illinois to Lloyd and Evelyn (Heath) Pepple and grew up on the family farm. Jess attended a small grade school in southern Illinois, and went on to graduate from the University of Southern Illinois with a degree in Civil Engineering.  He served briefly in the Army, followed by a 35-year career at the Department of Interior where his work centered on dam construction and safety as well as budgetary needs for both.  He retired from the Department’s Bureau of Reclamation in 1993, and pursued his passions of tennis, helping others, and caring for God’s creations through managing his 7.5 acres of land and maintaining the church’s camp property.  This included a variety of outdoor activities such as gardening, planting trees, chopping wood, composting, and much more. Jess was deeply religious and demonstrated his commitment to Christ by serving as a Deacon at both of his most recent churches (Trinity Presbyterian and Manassas Presbyterian). Jess also loved bridge and played weekly with friends. He is survived by his two daughters, Lisa (Pepple) Speak and Lori (Pepple) Yacobi; two stepdaughters, Jenny Abrams and Andrea Thackaray; two sisters, Carmen Walker and Jean Woods; and a collection of seven grandchildren and step-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at noon on June 16, 2018 at Manassas Presbyterian Church with a small reception to follow.  Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Fisher House Foundation.

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