LEEPER, Jack

Arizona City Independent, Arizona City, Arizona December 20, 2001 ARIZONA CITY - Jack Leeper, 58, died Dec. 14, 2001 in Arizona City. The Memorial service was held December 18, at Simes Mortuaries Casa Grande Chapel, with the Rev. Thom Stephens officiating. A graveside service followed in National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Road in Phoenix. Mr. Leeper was born Aug. 19, 1943 in Phoenix. He was raised there and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1960-64. He later left Arizona and lived in Baxter Springs, Kan. He worked for Burggraf Tire in Quapaw, Okla. He eventually returned to Arizona and worked for Southern Pacific Railroad as a road crew supervisor before he was placed on disability at age 43. He then lived in Checotah, Okla., for a number of years, returning to Arizona a couple of years ago. For the past several years he stayed with his sister, Ethel, and childhood friend Barry Wyatt during the winter months in Arizona City. Often called "The Okie," he was friendly and had a heartylaugh and lots of stores. He was a member of The American Legion, a horseman's group and other organizations. He owned, raised and raced horses. He warmed the bench at all types of sporting events and loved fishing, hunting and water sports. Survivors include four daughters, Cindy Prauser of Baxter Springs, Jackie Lynn Leeper of Quapaw, Rose Marie Long of Hampton, Va., and Tiffany Leeper of Tucson; a son, Terry Leeper of Baxter Springs; two sisters, Ethel Leeper Vaughn Wyatt of Arizona City and Sonjua Crittenden of Phoenix; and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Loise (Vaughn) and Oren J. Leeper Sr. Memorial contributions may be made to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.