Harold William Lepper, 89, of Jefferson City, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 8, 2024, at University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri.

Harold was born on May 20, 1935, in Jefferson City, the son of George Anton and Catherine Carolyn (Kempker) Lepper.

Harold proudly served in the United States Army from November 7, 1956, to November 6, 1958. His service to his country was a point of great pride for him, and he carried the values of discipline and duty throughout his life.

Harold began his career at the Tweedie Shoe Factory, where he worked from 1951 to 1962. He then spent over two decades at Rackers & Baclesse Lumber Company until its closing in 1985. In the same year, Harold pursued his passion for business by founding Harold W. Lepper Floor Covering, LLC, where he worked until his retirement in 2003.

A lifelong member of the Cathedral of St. Joseph, Harold was also active in the Bishop McAuliffe Council 12992 Knights of Columbus and the Elks Lodge 513. He was also a dedicated fixture of his community at Primrose Retirement Center, ensuring everyone felt welcome with his social personality and was especially devoted to his role as a faithful disciple of the Lord. Among the many ways he served others, Harold was honored to lead the Wednesday rosary and host Catholic services on Sundays. Through his assistance with the ministry, the services outgrew the community chapel and are now held in the community pub.

He shared a deep and loving relationship with his longtime companion, Katherine “Kay” Stratman. Together, they traveled extensively, visiting 32 countries and enjoying seven cruises.

Harold’s additional hobbies include walking, gardening, birdwatching, playing Scrabble, and pool.  He found pleasure in sharing these passions with his friends at Primrose getting his “steps in” and proudly sharing his mileage. He also took the responsibility to make sure the bird feeders were always full and worked with the staff to create a special spot for his tomatoes and pepper plants, now affectionately known by the residents as “Harold’s Garden”.

In addition to his service to his community, Harold found great joy in spending time with his family. He is survived by his two children, Judy (Bill) Van Loo and Larry (Theresa) Lepper, both of Jefferson City; his beloved companion, Kay Stratman, and her loving family; five grandchildren, Kim (Troy) Waller, Cory Van Loo, Nick (Sally) Lepper, Nathan (Michelle) Lepper, and Lindsay Van Loo (fiancé Matt Luce); seven great-grandchildren, Hannah Gross (Jay LeCure), Harley Waller (Jordan Brackman), Chris Gross (fiancée Margaret Powell), Alyssa Gross (Brody Messick), Beckett Lepper, Elizabeth Lepper, and Mason Lepper; one great-great-grandchild, Hadley Gross, with another on the way; one sister, Dorothy Johnson of Jefferson City; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and many others he considered family—all of whom he took great pride in.

Harold was preceded in death by the mother of his children, Betty Lepper; his parents; his infant sister, Norma Jean Lepper; his brother, Willard (Wanda) Lepper, and their stillborn son, Carl Lepper; his granddaughter-in-law, Aja Johnson-Van Loo; the beloved, Barb Hoskins; and his sister’s companion and Harold’s fishing buddy, Clifford Murphy.

Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Thursday, November 14, 2024, at Trimble Funeral Homes – Jefferson City with a prayer service at 3 p.m.  Additional visitation will be 10-11 a.m. Friday at the Cathedral of St. Joseph.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Friday at the Cathedral of St. Joseph with the Rev. Stephen Jones officiating.  Military honors will follow the funeral Mass.

Private family burial will be held at Hawthorn Memorial Gardens.

Memorials are suggested to Tunnel to Towers Foundation (Homeless Veterans Program) or to Compassus Hospice.

Services entrusted to Trimble Funeral Homes – Jefferson City. trimblefunerals.com