James Michael “Jim” Clepper of Houston, went to be with our Lord on Sunday, the 18th of March, 2018, on his mother’s birthday. Jim was born the 14th of August, 1945 in Springfield, Massachusetts, an hour and 10 minutes after President Truman announced the defeat of the Japanese ending WWII in the Pacific, and his first picture was published in the Springfield newspaper as the “Victory Baby.” His proud parents were Josephine M. (Raschilla) and Sergeant Edgar O. Clepper. Perhaps it was a sign of his future success, for he would have his picture in the newspaper many times.
Jim and his family lived in several states until 1951 before settling in his father’s hometown of Houston. He graduated from St. Pius X High School, where he had a lifelong loyalty and later founded the St. Pius X High School Foundation. After graduation from St. Pius X, Jim continued his education graduating with a Bachelor of Science in biology and chemistry at the University of Houston, where he met the love of his life, Vicki Kasmiroski. Jim served his country in the United States Army Reserves, briefly taught at Burbank Junior High School in Houston before beginning his career in the petrochemical industry. Jim was the owner of Southwest Solvents and Chemicals from 1977 until he sold the company in October 2001.
Jim became a lover of horses when he was a teenager still in high school. His father bought a few acres of land, built a barn, and bought a couple of horses for Jim and his younger brother, Louis. Down the street was a square-dancing school for horses and riders, and he and Louis joined the Houston Quadrille Club, and Jim soon began showing his horse. How interesting that he would show at the very first Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, which later became such an important part of his life. He served on the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Board of Directors, and was a lifetime member of the Executive Committee, as well as many other rodeo committees throughout his lifetime. He has also served as a director of Jersey Village Bank, Charter Bank, and Sterling Bank, Boys & Girls Harbor, Joyful Toyful, and was a lifetime director of The 100 Club. He was a major organizer and contributor to the Capon Dinner charity and spent his life serving his community with his patronage. Other organizations important to Jim were Jacques Demolay 1390 Lodge in Houston, the Arabia Shriners, the Royal Order of Jesters, Tejas Vaqueros, and Delta Chi fraternity.
Jim was an avid bird hunter and loved spending time with family and friends at his ranch in Brenham, where he raised and showed cutting horses. He was a member of the National Cutting Horse Association and the American Quarter Horse Association.
James was preceded in death by his father, Edgar O. Clepper, mother, Josephine M. Clepper and brother, Louis A. Clepper. James is survived by his wife, Vicki, son, Michael and grandson, J. Michael Clepper, II. The family would like to thank Kimberly Davis, Ruth Blackshear, Danita Webster and Marian Barajas for their loving care and devotion during the last years of his life.
The family will have gathered for a private interment at Earthman Resthaven Cemetery in Houston.
The celebration of Jim’s life is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Saturday, the 24th of March, in the Jasek chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston. Immediately following, all guests are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent grand foyer.
In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Educational Fund.
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