12/08/2025
Pepper: James "Jim" Gordon -
A longtime resident of Chatham, Jim Pepper passed away at St. Andrew’s Residence on December 4, 2025 at the age of 88.
Born in Chatham, Jim was the son of the late Gordon and Grace (nee Seney).
Beloved husband of 52 years to the late Lois Pepper (nee Palmer, 2016).
Loving father to Janet (Bob) Gargano of Thornhill, Ontario and John (Wilma) Pepper of Brentwood, Tennessee.
Caring grandfather to Corey Gargano of Ottawa, Ryan Gargano of Thornhill, and Tim Gargano of Toronto.
Brother to the late Carol Wright. Brother-in-law to Howard Wright.
Uncle to Kim (Randy) Wright-Hargest and Lynn (John) Picard.
He will be missed by extended family and friends.
Jim will be remembered as a true gentleman; kind and patient, wise and compassionate. He will be remembered as a ‘big picture’ thinker, and as a person who lived his life sacrificially, in service to others. He will be remembered as a man of faith, a mentor, and a friend.
Jim was born and raised on the farm in Raleigh Township, raising rabbits, working in the fields growing tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, corn, soy beans, to***co, wheat and hay. The orchard was full of pear, cherry, apple, plumb and apricot trees. There were 200 hens, and some steers and pigs. Jim grew up driving tractors, harvesting to***co, bagging pigeons, and cutting the neighbours’ lawns along the road. As a high school student Jim was a member of the 4-H Club and won first prize in Toronto’s Royal Winter Fair for his corn. Grace United and St. Luke’s United Churches played a large part in his family’s life, as did the big community dances that his family attended regularly. Jim was active in Young Peoples and became president of Kent Presbytery. It was during his time in Young Peoples that Jim began to live his life measuring greatness not in monetary terms, but in serving others.
Jim lead Tyros, a boys group at St. Luke’s. He organized them into a ball team and started taking them camping on the ridge of his farm. Because Jim didn’t know much about camping, he bought a book, made suggested purchases, and just did it. He found that the ball practice - camping combination promoted team work and learning. Not long afterward his sister Carol, who was a nurse volunteer at Kenesserie Camp, ‘nudged’ Jim to embrace camp, since by that time Jim was teaching and ‘had his summers off’. These experiences were the impetus for Jim’s passion for Christian based youth ministries, which he continued for the rest of his life.
Jim met Lois while they were teaching at McKeough Public School. (They were one of 5 couples who met while teaching there… something in the air?) Summers in those early years of marriage included many trips to London and back as he earned his bachelor’s degree. His leadership potential was recognized and encouraged, and in 1978 Jim became a principal. Because of his involvement at Kenesserie, Jim had an idea as principal that he could ‘take classes camping’. WIth his Superintendent’s support, Jim spent a year on special assignment at the Board office developing their outdoor education program. He was commended for bringing excellence in the vast field of learning found beyond the classroom through his tremendous effort and professional output and document “Man in Nature: Patience in Harmony”.
Jim took on the role of director at Kenesserie during the summer of 1972. Over the following few years, Jim and Lois and their young children spent their summers living at the camp. Jim and Lois became increasingly interested in staff training and in developing innovative new programming using the teen-aged staff as active participants in program development and leadership. In time, their vision out-stripped the camp board’s readiness to support it, and Jim and Lois ultimately started a new program, separately, using Victoria Ave United Church as its base. The events they ran were unique for Kent County at the time: long-distance bicycling tours, canoe trips in Algonquin, backpacking on the Bruce Trail, bus-travel events visiting various historical and cultural facilities, choral music camps, sports camps, inter-city day camps, and more. Interwoven through this was a strong emphasis on leadership skills development and a large amount of time, money and personal support contributed by both Jim and Lois.
Jim had great vision and a willingness to sacrifice to see that vision come to fruition. He and Lois, in their partnership together, had the uncanny ability to see potential in young people and worked very hard to see that potential realized. The program evolved into Adullam Camp Ministries and continues today.
Jim was a full time educator for 34 years, most of which he was principal. Camp work was life beyond the school day. Additionally, in his years leading up to retirement, Jim was secretary for the Building Committee of St. Paul’s Congregational Church. As the chair of Stewardship, he followed a consultant’s plan, and there were special dinners, pledges, a plethora of committees, each with specific assignments and deadlines. There were speeches and publications. It was quite a time. And through it all Jim learned a great deal about stewardship, fundraising, faithfulness, trust, and people.
After retirement, Jim became a charter member of Kiwanis Club of Chatham Kent Golden K. where he served as secretary for many years. He and Lois were huge supporters and organisers of the Kiwanis Music Festival. Accustomed to pulling canoe trailers during years of youth event leadership, it wasn’t much of a jump for Jim to begin pulling a 26 ft camper. He and Lois travelled coast to coast, often in the company of good friends, enjoying Canada’s beauty and visits with family and with some of the alumni who were once involved in camp ministry as youth. Jim and Lois, now grandparents, included their grandsons in many of their travel camp adventures, just as they did with their own children in years past.
Jim lived in 3 homes in his life: his childhood home on the farm, his 50 years with Lois in their home, and his final 11 years St. Andrew’s Residence. Jim’s 3 homes didn’t operate in isolation. Rather, each home functioned as a part connected to a community of people. His care for his community continued during his time at St. Andrew’s Residence. Staff knew that they were near and dear to his heart, and he took an interest in their lives, as they did in his. As friends and acquaintances moved into St Andrews, Jim acted on the opportunity to reconnect with each in a unique and special way. The ultimate puzzler (Jigsaw puzzles, Sudoku, & crosswords) and consummate newspaper reader, Jim absorbed Power and Politics, the Globe & Mail and CBC news; the Blue Jays and the Maple Leafs. Jim was always up to connect with others through ‘puzzling’ or in conversation on any current or sports event.
Jim was awarded the T.V. Proctor Award for his contribution to youth in the community, and the Syd Kemsley Award for serving the children of the community in the same spirit and passion as Syd Kemsley. He and Lois were also nominated to receive the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship, an award which “recognizes citizens who, through their selflessness, humanity and kindness make this a better province in which to live.”
Jim was a true and faithful servant. His love for God was reflected in his love for others, and he lived his life in humility and in an attitude of service. He was a giver. And we are all richer because of the gift he was to all of us.
Cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will be held at St. Paul’s Discover Life, 450 Park Ave W. Chatham on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 11:00 am with visitation from 10:00 am until the Service time. An interment will take place at Pardoville-Union Cemetery at a later date.
Donations made in memory of Jim to the Chatham Kiwanis Music Festival or to the Adullam Camp Ministries (e-transfer to payments@adullam.ca) would be appreciated by the family.
Online condolences may be left at www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com
McKinlay Funeral Home
459 St. Clair Street, Chatham
519-351-2040
