Richard J. "Dick" PEPPER

PEPPER, Richard J. "Dick," 86, passed away peacefully at home, his beloved dog Chico by his side, on January 29, 2016. Husband, father, grand-father, veteran, tugboat captain, and storied scat back at Miami High School, Dick shared his big heart and dogged tenacity with everyone and everything he touched. He stubbornly stared down major health issues in his final months, never com-plaining and never losing his sense of humor or con-cern for his family. Born in Miami on January 24, 1930, Dick played leather helmet football at Miami High and helped the Stingarees to championship seasons in 1947 and 1948. His favorite memories were the road trips he took with the team, flying all over the southeast to play other top-caliber squads. Dick was inducted into the Miami High Sports Hall of Fame in 1997. In high school he met the love of his life, Yvonne Nadeau. They were married in 1951, during his service in the Army. Dick and Yvonne raised four children and lived in Miami, Pascagoula, MS, and for the last five decades in Brandon, while Captain Dick expertly piloted tugboats in the Port of Tampa. Dick lovingly cared for Yvonne through her struggle with Multiple Sclerosis. Together they attended Holy Innocents Church. After her passing he served with the Brandon Elks Lodge and continued to participate in Miami High reunion activities. Dick is survived by his brother, Jack Pepper; by his child-ren, Dianne Pepper, Karen Resciniti (Angelo), Donna Pepper (Dean Beutler), and Jay Pepper (Jodi); and grandchildren, Emily Pano (Eli), Haley Beutler, Sam Beutler, and Dylan Pepper. A service of remembrance and celebration will be held Friday, February 19th, 1:00 p.m., at Holy Innocents in Valrico, followed by a reception in the church hall. Dick's ashes will later be interred alongside Yvonne's in the church's memorial garden. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests dona-tions to the National Mul-tiple Sclerosis Society, Mid-Florida Chapter.