Dean Ellis Pepper

Another Miracle Dean Ellis Pepper, our loving husband, father, grandfather, son and friend, returned to the waiting arms of his parents and brother on April 30, 2007. This final earthy miracle was bestowed upon him and his family by a loving Heavenly Father as he was surrounded by all those who loved him best on both sides of the veil. Dean was born on January 6, 1950, in Elgin, Illinois. One of the first great blessings of his life was to have wonderful parents adopt him as a newborn. His next great blessing was to marry his high school sweetheart, Kathy Ann Jacob, on June 19, 1970, in Grand Junction, Colorado. While student teaching in Arvada, Colorado, Kathy and Dean found patient friends who officially introduced them to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their third great blessing was to be baptized on April 14, 1973. And all because two people fell in love, they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Manti Temple on April 27, 1974, and welcomed their first child to this eternal marriage the following June. Dean received his Masters in Education and taught high school science, math, chemistry and physics in Nucla, Colorado, and for 18 years in Kanab, Utah, and most recently at Sunset Ridge Middle School in West Jordan. The family also lived in Blanding, Utah for several years where he worked as a mine surveyor. During this busy, fulfilling time in his life, six great blessings completed their family, three daughters and three sons. Also during this time, in 1984, he began his long and courageous battle with cancer. It is a great blessing to us that he continued to participate in wonderful experiences with his family, including many Pinewood derbies and Eagle projects, ball games of every type and level of performance, hiking the Grand Canyon with the Young Women of the ward, taking a family road trip to Nauvoo, building many glorious snow creations, attending recitals, plays, concerts, drill team competitions and graduations from pre-school to college. He always said, "It's tough to be a real dad." He was a fun, firm dad, and a kind and loving husband. The only thing on his "to do" list that was just for him was to own a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. His testimony was unwavering and his knowledge was a source of learning for everyone. During his 33 years as a Latter-day Saint he served in many callings, including home teacher, teacher, bishop's counselor, bishop, and high councilman. Our greatest miracle was for him to survive his disease long enough to see his sons complete honorable missions and to be with his children as they were sealed in the temple to loving spouses. Dean is survived by his eternal companion, Kathy, and six children and their spouses: Kelly Jean (Clint) Paxton, Springville; Amanda Ruth (Travis) Hamblin, West Jordan; Joseph Dean (Jana) Pepper, Lehi; Meggan Delaney (Michael) Lawson, Clinton; Matthew Jacob (Ivonne) Pepper, Clearfield; and recently returned missionary, David Samuel, West Jordan. He was the very proud grandpa of Carter, Kaden, Garrett, Jerika, Sydney, Parker, Tysen, Dallin, Chase, Mason, Zachary, Jacob, and Samuel. Other survivors include his brother, Jim Pepper, and family of St. Louis, Mo. and his in-laws, Ruth and Harland Jacob, of Grand Junction, whom he loved so dearly. He was preceded in death by his younger brother, Roger Delaney, and mother, Irene Jane McKinley. He was also the tender caregiver of his father, Leonard Delaney Pepper, who passed away last year. A viewing will be held at the chapel at 4070 West 6200 South in West Jordan on Friday, May 4, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 5, at the Cobble Creek Stake Center, 8150 S. Grizzly Way (5410W.) in West Jordan at 2:00 p.m. A viewing will be held at that location from 1:00-1:45 p.m. Saturday. Internment will be in the West Jordan City Cemetery. Our special thanks go to all of our wonderful friends, school friends, and ward members in both Kanab and West Jordan, doctors and hospital staff, and especially our family, because "Families Can Be Together Forever." In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Kane Schools Foundation for Students, 746 S. 175 East, Kanab, Utah 84741.