James Kepple

James L. "Jim" Kepple, 73, Topeka, formerly of Horton, Kansas, passed away on Monday, June 30, 2008 at a local hospital.

Jim was born October 5, 1934 in Carterville, Missouri, the son of Ray and Susie (Rackley) Kepple. He graduated from Carterville High School in 1952; from Pittsburg State Teachers College in 1957 with a degree in Education and his Master's degree in Educational Administration in 1966.

He taught at Crane, Missouri, Iola and Sedan, Kansas. He served as an administrator at Melvern, Onaga, and Horton schools in Kansas. He retired in 1995 and moved to Topeka in 2002 where he was a substitute teacher at the Washburn Rural High School.

He was a member of the United School Administrators. His hobby was car restoration and enjoyed taking his '59' Cadillac to Cruise Nights and car shows.

Jim married Fredrecia "Freddye" Richardson on February 16, 1957 in Miami, Oklahoma. She survives. Other survivors include daughter, Jeri (Phil) Brooks, McPherson, Kansas; sons, Jim (Val) Kepple, Ness City, Kansas, David (Regina) Kepple, Independence, Missouri; grandchildren, Gage and Griffin Kepple; great grandchild, Audra Unruh; brother, Don (Sue) Kepple, Aurora, Missouri; and step-mother, Naomi Kepple, Carterville, Missouri.

A Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 3, 2008 at Countryside United Methodist Church. Private family inurnment will be held at a later date. Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Horton School District, Everest Gymnasium Floor Project, 522 Central Avenue, Horton, Kansas 66439, or Countryside United Methodist Church, 3221SW Burlingame Road, Topeka, Kansas 66611.