Jack Simpson Kepley Sr. Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Jack Simpson Kepley, Sr. died on Saturday, June 25, 2022 at the age of 98. Born on February 15, 1924 in Salisbury NC, he was the son of the late Walter Robert Kepley, Sr. and Mazie Simpson Kepley. Following graduation from Boyden High School in 1943, he joined the Army, serving as a Staff Sergeant and Platoon Leader during World War II with the 34th Infantry, 24th Division until 1946. Jack was a charter member of Harold B. Jarrett American Legion Post #342. In 1949, he graduated from Catawba College with a degree in Business Administration. He served as President of Kepley-Crowell Insurance, Inc until his retirement. He joined Boy Scout Troop 448 on his 13th birthday and was continuously registered as a member for 85 years. He served as Scoutmaster from 1952 until 1993, when he was named Scoutmaster Emeritus. For two years, Jack served as Camp Director of Camp John J. Barnhardt. He served as a staff member and director of several Wood Badge courses and held many positions at the council level of the Central NC Council. Jack received numerous scouting awards over the years including the Silver Beaver Award, which is the highest award a Boy Scout Council can bestow. Jack was an active member of the Salisbury Lions Club for many years, serving as the Club President and being selected as the Lion of the Year in 1963 and the Man of the Year in 1994. In 2001, he was recognized by Lions Club International as a Melvin Jones Fellow. He was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in 2018, given by Governor Roy Cooper to persons who have performed exemplary service to the state of North Carolina. He served on the Board of the Rowan County Parks and Recreation Commission. A lifelong member of Coburn Memorial United Methodist Church, Jack had served as a Sunday school teacher, a church lay leader, finance committee chair, trustee chairman and administrative board chairman. In 1986, he received the Methodist Church’s Cross and Flame Award. Jack is survived by two sons, Jack S. Kepley, Jr. and wife Jo Ann and William K. Kepley and wife Anna; his grandchildren, Dawn Carrier and husband Marshall, Heather Unger and husband Martin, Nathan Kepley, and Molly Bostic and husband Danny; grandson-in-law Jacob Hackamack and wife Heather. He is also survived by his great grandchildren: Chase Carrier; Kelsey, Katie, Carson and Cody Unger; Isaac and Elias Bostic and Mazie Hackamack. He was married to Grace Kimball Kepley for 72 years until her death on April 13, 2022. He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Grace Kimball “Kim” Kepley, and his granddaughter, Sarah Kepley Hackamack. His brother, Walter Robert Kepley, Jr., and his sisters, Mary Ruth Kepley Spry and Juanita Kepley Secrest also predeceased him. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 from 1:00 pm until 2:15 pm in the sanctuary of Coburn Memorial United Methodist Church, 901 S. Church St., Salisbury NC. The funeral service will follow at 2:30 pm at the church with Rev. Perry Bradshaw officiating. Burial will be in Chestnut Hill Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be sent to Coburn Memorial United Methodist Church, 901 S. Church St., Salisbury NC 28144. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Kepley family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

Jack Simpson Kepley Sr.

February 15, 1924 - June 25, 2022