Dr. C. Neal Jepson

Dr. C. Neal Jepson, 82, passed away at home surrounded by his family on January 13, 2014, after a lengthy battle with mesothelioma. A native of Sioux City, Iowa, Dr. Jepson served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and briefly studied fine arts at the University of Iowa prior to graduating Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in Liberal Arts. He married his high school sweetheart and true love of his life, Donna Mae Ferrell, in September 1953. After obtaining a degree from the University of Iowa College of Medicine and completing an internship at Broadlawns Hospital in Des Moines and a residency in ophthalmology in Iowa City, Neal moved his burgeoning family to Colorado Springs in December 1963, joining the Colorado Springs Eye Clinic. In 1971 he established his own practice, Eye Associates of Colorado Springs, which remains today as a leader in regional ophthalmic care.

Dr. Jepson was a renaissance man in every sense—a talented artist, avid golf and tennis player, voracious reader, committed and compassionate physician, and loving family man. Music was also a particularly important element in his life. Until he retired from practicing medicine in 2006, Neal treated many thousands of patients and was renowned as intelligent yet plain spoken, and serious about his profession yet unafraid to inject humor into his treatment. In fact, he was perhaps as well known for his mental storehouse of jokes and stories—and a talent for telling them—as for his medical expertise. With a dose or two of wit, the good doctor was always in.

Although retired from full-time practice, Dr. Jepson continued to provide care to the medically underserved community by volunteering his services at Peak Vista Health Center. For his outstanding efforts, in 2012 and 2013 he was presented with several accolades, including the local Spirit of the Springs Celebration Award (presented by Mayor Steve Bach) and the statewide Volunteer Clinician Award by the Colorado Community Health Network.

Dr. Jepson is survived by his adoring (and adored) wife of 60 years, Donna, children Dan of Denver, Tom (Julie) and Eric (Amy) of Colorado Springs, Doug (Stephanie) of Fort Collins and Kathy Jepson Flock (Tom) of Loveland, as well as nine grandchildren and his brother Jim (Marilyn) of Castle Pines and sister Nancy of The Woodlands, TX.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Pikes Peak Hospice or Peak Vista Community Health Centers, 722 Wahsatch, Colorado Springs 80903. The family extends its sincere thanks to Pikes Peak Hospice for the special and loving care provided to Neal. A memorial service will be held at 1:00pm Saturday, January 25, 2014, at First United Methodist Church, 420 N. Nevada Avenue, followed by a reception in his honor at the El Paso Club, 30 E. Platte Avenue, between 2:00 and 5:00 PM.

Arrangements under the direction of Swan-Law Funeral Directors, Colorado Springs, CO.