James Drexel Lepper

Born on March 29, 1941 in Melbourne, Florida
Passed on November 6 2025 in Palm Bay, Florida

Born on March 29, 1941 in Melbourne, Florida. Passed on November 6, 2025, at home after a long illness. Jim is survived by his daughter Robin Slentz (Doug); his three grandchildren, James Slentz (Jamie), Sarah DeJong (Patric), and Clayton Slentz (Mikayla). He has seven great- grandchildren; Grace, Brennan, Nolan, Nora, Cade, Maeve and Finley. He was preceded in death by his bride and high school sweetheart Jacqueline and his daughter Kelly.

Jim taught American History in Brevard County for over 50 years. Teaching at Southwest Junior High School, Mel-Hi, Florida Air Academy and ended his career as a teacher at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy. He was a football coach at Melbourne Central Catholic, Florida Air Academy and Melbourne High School.

Jim was a graduate of Melbourne High School, Class of 1959. He lettered in all four varsity sports. Voted Most Athletic and was inducted into Mel-Hi’s Baseball Hall of Fame, set school track records that stood for 20+ years, and was MVP of the football and basketball teams.

Drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals after high school graduation and was awarded a football and baseball scholarship to the University of Florida. Before a career ending knee injury, Jim was voted as the All SEC freshman quarterback. He graduated from University of Florida in 1964.

Jim cherished time with family and friends. He always looked forward to trivia and talks about “his beloved” Gators, with his son-in-law Doug; testing his great-grandson Nolan (11 years old) on baseball batting averages; talking history and solving “all world” problems with grandson Clay and playing Presidential trivia with his eight year old, great-granddaughter, Nora. He spent many hours talking poetry with his brother in law, Jim. From Carl Sandburg to Robert Frost, to memorizing and reciting most, if not all, the plays of William Shakespeare. He loved playing “high five” with his twin great-granddaughters, Maeve and Finley (2 years old).

Jim cherished his life long friendships, and memories of “old” Melbourne. He will be remembered for his love of family, his inquiring mind and love of old country music artists. (Kristofferson, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash).

Funeral services will be on Friday, November 14 at Our Lady of Lourdes at 9 a.m. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery on Miller Street, Palm Bay.

” Celebration of Life” BBQ will be held Sunday, November 16th, 1 p.m. at the Kingery Pavilion – 3575 Hield Road, West Melbourne. All are welcomed.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Melbourne Central Catholic High School.

1 entry.

Todd Smith from Palm Bay wrote on November 10, 2025:

So sorry to hear of Coach Lepper’s passing. I grew up calling him Lep as most did until he became my PE teacher and 9th grade football coach at the old SW Jr High School. Then it had to be Coach Lepper. I made the mistake of calling him Lep in front of other students once and received a paddling I still haven’t forgotten. I’ve never called him anything but Coach Lepper since! He was a favorite of mine. With much love and affection, Coach.