Kenneth Harry Pepper

June 24, 1928 - February 12, 2017

Kenneth Harry Pepper, age 88, of Versailles, passed away Sunday, February 12, 2017, at the Good Shepherd Care Center in Versailles. He was born June 24, 1928, in Barnard, Kansas, a son of Harry and Irma (Snapp) Pepper. Kenneth moved to Versailles during his 7th grade year in school. Following his graduation from high school, he purchased the Conoco station in Versailles. On September 18, 1949, Kenneth married Mary Francis Meyer. After a few months, Kenneth enlisted in the Air Force where he was based in Panama City, Florida from 1950 to 1954, serving in the Korean Conflict. After serving his country proudly, Ken and Mary decided to stay in Florida and build a motel in which they named, Motel Lagoon. Also during this time there, their first and only child was born. Due to aging parents, they returned to Versailles where Kenneth worked at Kansas City Bifocal and Thomas Furniture before becoming a rural mail carrier. He also owned two coin operated laundry mats along with a small appliance repair service. Kenneth was a member and deacon of the Versailles First Baptist Church, a member of the Versailles Masonic Lodge #320, the Morgan County VFW Post 5178 and was a volunteer for the City of Versailles Fire Department. On September 18, 1999, Ken and Mary celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and also renewed their wedding vows. Ken enjoyed spending his spare time bowling and traveling. He is survived by his wife, Mary Pepper of the home; his daughter, Sherry Griffin and husband David of Columbia, Missouri; grandchildren, Jennifer Dixon and husband Jason of Columbia, Missouri and Shawn Griffin and wife Amanda of Clark, Missouri; great-grandchildren, Porter and Paige Onderbeke of Columbia, Missouri; nephew, Kenny Pepper of Texas; nieces, Becky Canier of Texas and Dee Dee Ann Marshall of Kansas and many friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Harry Pepper, his mother, Irma Pepper Hackler and his brother, Milford Pepper. Funeral and Masonic services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 15th, at the Kidwell-Garber Funeral Home in Versailles with Pastor Ken Martin officiating. Graveside services and interment with full military honors will follow in the Versailles Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, at the funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Kidwell-Garber Funeral Home of Versailles.