James Hepker Sr.

JAMES WESLEY HEPKER SR.

Cedar Rapids

James Wesley Hepker Sr. "Fat Man," 67, of Cedar Rapids, died Thursday, March 10, 2016, after a long battle with cancer. Family will greet friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, March 14, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids. Services: 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 15, at the funeral home. Burial: Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, with military rites.

Survivors include his wife, Janice Hepker of Cedar Rapids; five children, Jeff (Sue) Henderson, Jeri (Traci) Henderson, Kim (Jay) Doolin-Hepker, James "Zeke" (Bree) Hepker Jr. and Jeremy (Ebony) Hepker; 16 grandchildren, Brad (Lexi), Tony (Jessica), Jason, Josh (Nicole), Ariella, Levi, Ethan, Noah, Jonathan, Jordan, Kayle, Buddy, Marisa, Zach, Tasia and Landon; nine great-grandchildren, Bradlee, Bryson, Aubree, Rebecca, Easton, Dakota, Rosslyn, Jakobi and Ka'Mya; two brothers, Jerry Hepker of Cedar Rapids and Bobby Smith of Texas; very special family friend, Jenny Berger; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; mother-in-law, Theola Hatfield; two sisters, Nancy and Betty; two nieces, Tonda and Tammy; nephew, John; great-grandchild, Odin; and two special friends, Don Berger and Mary Pierce.

James was born Jan. 1, 1949, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, son of Ocie and Phyllis (Polton) Hepker. He joined the Army on Oct. 17, 1968, and served in the Vietnam War. After he returned from his service in the war, he worked most of his life in the construction field for Four Star Roofing, B.L. Anderson, Vulcan Material and also Phillips Trucking. On Aug. 13, 1971, he married Janice Hatfield in Rock Island. James enjoyed the time he spent with his family at the cabin, the time spent with friends and watching wrestling with his grandkids.

Please share a memory of James at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.