James Pepper

James Donald Pepper (“Don”), 89, of Paducah passed away at 6:05 am on Thursday, December 5, 2013 at Emeritus of Paducah.

Don was a retired editorial writer for the Paducah Sun, where he worked from 1951-1989. Newspaper work and writing were in his blood, as his father, James R. Pepper, had been an editor of several Kentucky newspapers in the 1920s, and was a founder of the Hardin County Enterprise, now The News-Enterprise in Elizabethtown. Don’s brother, the late Charles Pepper, was editor-publisher of the Crittendon Press in Henderson and later worked on the foreign desk of the New York Times. Don graduated from the University of Chicago in 1947 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism, and began his newspaper career at his hometown paper, the Henderson Gleaner and Journal, before coming to Paducah in 1951. He worked for the Paducah Sun Democrat/Paducah Sun for 38 years as reporter, copy editor, and finally editorial page editor and writer, retiring in 1989. His editorials were widely acclaimed, and several received awards from the Kentucky Press Association.

A World War II veteran, he was a radio operator, togglier, and gunner with the Army Eighth Air Force 401st Bombardment Group, where he flew 30 missions in a B-17 over Germany, France, and Holland. One of those who volunteered to make extra flights beyond the standard allotment, his final mission was on Christmas Eve 1944.

Don was a member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Paducah, where he served as an elder and Sunday School teacher, and where he sang in the choir for many years. His maternal grandfather, Henry A. Macdonald, a native of Prince Edward Island, was an ordained minister in the Christian Church, and was on two occasions president of Kentucky Christian College near Mayfield (now known as Kentucky Christian University).
Don and Evelyn Laura Edens wed in 1954 and had two children, Cathy and Jim. Evelyn Pepper died in 1969. Don married Doris Mildred Wilson in 1973, who passed away in 1985.

A deeply thoughtful and spiritual man, Don was widely respected and liked by those who knew him only through his writings, and he was loved by most everyone who knew him personally. His kindness and compassion for others were his most notable traits, and many people benefited from his caring help. His solid faith in God and his sense of humor saw him through difficult times, and he always enjoyed sharing a good laugh with family and friends. He will be missed very much.

Surviving are his son, James Arthur (Laurel) Pepper of Gaithersburg, MD; his daughter, Catherine Ann Pepper of Austin, TX; his stepdaughter, Jennifer (Jack Bell) Palmer of Mayfield; his stepson, Andrew J. Palmer III; brother-in-law, Oscar J. Edens of Paducah; two grandchildren, Lauren Evelyn Pepper (Nick) Petric of Knoxville, TN; and Rachel Elizabeth Pepper of Gaithersburg; step grandchildren, David Douglas McNeal,Katherine Douglas McNeal, Susan Palmer, Andrew J. Palmer IV and Will Palmer; twelve step great grandchildren; three nieces, Rebecca Pepper, Melinda Pepper Berard, and Sara Pepper; and one nephew, David Pepper.

Services will be 11:00 am Tuesday, December 10th, at First Christian Church of Paducah, 415 Audubon Dr., with the Rev. J. Gottman officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Mount Kenton Cemetery, 2535 Lone Oak Rd. in Paducah.

Visitation will be Monday from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Lindsey Funeral Home, 226 N. 4th St., Paducah, and Tuesday from 10:00 am until the funeral hour at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church of Paducah, Paducah Cooperative Ministry, or to Lourdes Hospice.

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