James M. "Jim" Hepburn Sr.

1930 - 2022

James M. "Jim" Hepburn Sr., 92, of Allegheny Township, passed away Saturday, July 30, 2022, in QLS- Apollo. Born April 24, 1930, in Vandergrift, he was the son of the late Henry T. and Nancy J. (Edwards) Hepburn. James lived in the Kiski Valley most of his life and was a 1949 graduate of Vandergrift High School. His memberships included the First United Methodist Church in Leechburg, Scottish Rite Bodies Valley of Pittsburgh, life member of the Syria Shrine in Cheswick and Apollo Lodge #437 F&AM since 1960. Jim was a car enthusiast. He retired in 1990 from form Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corp., West Leechburg Works, where he had been employed for 34 years in production control. A proud veteran of the Korean War, Jim served with the Air Force from 1951-55. He was deployed to the combat zone in Korea from April 1952 until March 1953, receiving numerous awards and citations. Jim was extremely honored to serve his country in a time of war as his brothers had before him during World War II. His brother, Charles, was killed in action on June 19, 1944, in France after having survived the landing on Omaha Beach during the invasion on June 6. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Margaret (Stotler) Hepburn, in 2009; and siblings, Thomas B. Hepburn, John R. Hepburn, Charles E. Claypoole, Clarence N. Claypoole, Lucille P. Farren and Martha J. Hetrick. Jim is survived by his wife of 11years, Dolores R. (Hockenberry) Lees Hepburn, of Allegheny Township; sons, James M. (Karen) Hepburn Jr. of Jasper, Tenn., Dr. Jeffrey S. Hepburn, of Birmingham, Mich.; grandchildren, Matthew James Hepburn, Kristen Michelle Hepburn and Corrin Delrose (Steve) McMahon; stepsons, Dr. Robert E. (Rae) Lees, of Washington Crossing and William N. (Mary) Lees, of Winchester, Va.; step-grandchildren, William, Matthew, Robert and Daniella; and nieces, Mary Jo Hepburn, of Leechburg, Judith Henley, of Leechburg and Debra Smail, of Hyde Park. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022, in the CURRAN-SCHAFFER FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY INC., 100 Owens View Ave., Apollo. Additional viewing will be held from 10 until the hour of service at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, in the funeral home, with Pastor Sara Wrona officiating. Burial will follow in Riverview Cemetery, Apollo, where military honors will be accorded by the Vandergrift Veterans Honor Guard. Contributions may be made in Jim's memory to the First United Methodist Church, 251 Main St., Leechburg, PA 15656. To send an online condolence to the family, please visit www.curranfuneralhome.com.