Obituary of Harry (George) Lepp

January 3, 1938 – Swalwell, Alberta

August 4, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

George Lepp, beloved husband of Jacqui Lepp (nee Boutland), of Calgary, AB, passed away on Sunday, August 4, 2024, at the age of 86 years.

Born in Swalwell, AB, on January 3, 1938, George was the youngest of nine siblings. He moved to Calgary in 1957 to become a city boy and follow his passion for cars.  (To this day, we still joke about the 1964 Chevelle Malibu SS 327 Liquid Cherry hardtop he sold out from under me…)

George began his career driving a truck for Weston Bakeries. He soon transitioned into the automotive industry with GSL Chev City, where he spent nine years working his way up from lot attendant to serviceman and tow truck driver.

He then joined the City of Calgary, initially servicing trucks at the Forest Lawn Dump site. After a year of dealing with less-than-pleasant aromas, he transferred to City Transit, where he spent over 25 years. Starting in the check lane and apprenticing in 1974, George was proud to earn his Journeyman II HD mechanic certification and eventually worked in the machine shop. All the while, he was still contemplating who might buy that 1964 Chevelle.

In the early days, Mom fell in love with an amazing blue 57 Chevy driving down the street and then saw the driver who she thought was kinda cute as well.

George and Jacqui married on June 8, 1963, and shared 61 wonderful years together. They traveled extensively, with highlights including Nashville, Graceland, and driving down the Oregon coast. We don’t discuss losing him in Rome at the Colosseum…

Dad loved all things Golf and never met a putt he couldn’t miss.  (Something that was handed down to the next generation… sigh) He never quite got over losing the family golf title to Kevin but relished playing mountain golf whenever possible. His final round was on September 14, 2017, and he never missed an opportunity to remind me of how he outdrove me on #3, despite his own drive ending up 40 yards past mine. One memory and laugh of many on the course.

George had a passion for singing. He was a member of several quartets and choruses including the Stampede City Chorus and the Corpus Christi Male Chorus. Many friends and family enjoyed listening to him sing along to his favorite songs during car rides.

Those who knew George cherished his jokes and sense of humor, but he will be most remembered as a dedicated car enthusiast who was happiest with a wrench in hand. He often stopped to help a stranded motorist and ensure they were safe on the road.

Besides his loving wife Jacqui, George is survived by his son Kevin (Kasia) and daughter Tricia (Simon); and his grandchildren, Brenna, Alli, Nicolas, Maia, and Phoenix who will all miss their Grampa dearly.

George was the last of his generation and was predeceased by his parents, Henry and Mary Lepp, and his siblings, Helen, Mary, Margaret, Alma, Henry, Bill, Alvin, and baby Peter. As the youngest of nine siblings, Dad learned to eat quickly at the table and avoid Helen’s swipe of the fork on his knuckles.

Funeral Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street N, Calgary, AB) on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to The Alzheimer Society of Calgary, 800, 7015 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 2K6, Telephone: (403)290-0110, www.alzheimercalgary.com.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with George’s family here.

In living memory of George Lepp, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-276-2296.