Major General John "Jack" Sherman Peppers

John “Jack” Sherman Peppers, the son of Sherman and Ruth (Chase) Peppers was born on March 7th, 1937 in Carroll, Iowa and passed on Veterans Day, November 11th, 2018, in his Exira, Iowa home, at the age of 81 years, 8 months, and 4 days. Jack grew up in Exira, Iowa enjoying small town life and attended Exira schools graduating high school in 1955. During his school days he played football, basketball and baseball, and shot a mean game of pool. After graduating high school, Jack attended Iowa State University for two years, before marrying the love of his life, Annette Edith Statzell. Jack and Annette were married September 2nd, 1957 at the Federated Church in Exira. Jack transferred to the University of Iowa and graduated with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration in 1959. He returned in 1973 to earn his Masters in Finance from the University of Iowa. Jack was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army in December 1959, beginning a 32-year career of service to the nation in peace and war, and worldwide travel for him and his family. Jack’s military career featured command of units at every level from Rifle Platoon Leader to Assistant Division Commander. He served across the globe from West Germany during the Berlin Wall crisis of 1961, two combat tours in Vietnam in 1963 and 1970, the Panama Canal Zone, and Brigade command in the Republic of Korea from 1980 to 1982. His military education and training included completion of the Infantry Officer Basic Course, the Field Artillery School Advanced Course, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College. Jack and his family moved 23 times in his 32 years of active duty. He retired from service in 1991. In his Army career, Jack attained the rank of Major General and earned many awards and decorations, including the Combat Infantrymans Badge, the Distinguished Service Medal (multiple awards), the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal (multiple awards), and the Bronze Star Medal (multiple awards, one with “V” for Valor). After retirement he returned to his hometown of Exira and became active in his community and many organizations. He was a member of the Federated Church until its closing and attended the Exira Fellowship Church. He helped lead the blood bank, participated in the American Legion, served on boards and committees, planned many veteran tributes and was a guest speaker at community and veteran occasions. He continued his life- long love of sports through coaching and as an avid fan of Exira High School sports. When Jack was not on the golf course pursuing his passion for the game, he enjoyed playing bridge, poker and travelling the world with Annette. Jack was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Sherry Eddy, his brother-in-law, Reu Eddy, and his sister-in-law, Nadine Peppers. He is survived by his wife Annette, his sons Mike Peppers (Ann) of Steilacoom, Washington, and Dan Peppers (Mary Beth) of Papillion, Nebraska, his daughter Jackie Fricke (Tom) of Dallas, Texas, his brothers Rick Peppers of Orange City, Iowa, and Russ Peppers (Christine) of Dewey, Arizona, his eight grandchildren whom he loved and enjoyed watching grow, and his four great-grandchildren, who are the new generation. Jack was also blessed to have many treasured nieces and nephews who enriched his life and meant so much to him. The family will meet with friends on Sunday afternoon, November 18, 2018, from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira, Iowa. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Clinton Francisco, Pastor of the Exira Fellowship Church, on Monday morning November 19, 2018, at 10:30 a.m.at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira. Interment will be in the Exira Cemetery in Exira. The honorary casket bearers will be Jessica Peppers, Elizabeth Achilles, Sarah Peppers, Stacia Kapalka, Shannon Bakke, Megan Fricke, and Alexandra Fricke. The casket bearers will be Jackson Fricke, Nick Bakke, Phil Kapalka, Chris Bireline, Alex Bireline, and Jordan Short.