Tributes

Matthew Anthony Pepe, Jr., 77, of Anniston, Alabama, passed away on June 27, 2020. Funeral services will be held at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church with Father John McDonald officiating. The family will receive visitors at the Church on Thursday, July 2, 2020, between 4 and 5:30 p.m., and the rosary will be said at 5:30 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, July 3, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. Inurnment with military honors will follow at the columbarium adjacent to the church. Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 55 beautiful years, Dian, three daughters, Kimberly Pepe Presson (Scott), Shari Pepe Doyal (Tim) and Diana Pepe Harrison (Derry); five granddaughters, Allison, Katey, Alyssa, Samantha and Jennifer; sisters Grace Lordo (Bob) and Shirley Koshan (John) and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his mother, Elizabeth Drabick Pepe Repas and father Matthew Anthony Pepe, Sr., grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Matt proudly served his country in the United States Army for 9 years; he served one tour of duty in the Vietnam War. Matt was a decorated member of the First Air Cavalry Division and a survivor of the Battle of the Ia Drang Valley, which was documented in the movie “We Were Soldiers”. He was a member and served as an officer of the Vietnam Veterans of America local chapter 502, was a member of the Anniston Fraternal Order of Police, was a Calhoun County Reserve Deputy, a Walter Wellborn Band Bus Driver and a local VA Hospital transport driver. Matt was an expert cook and grill master, a HAM Radio operator, loved cars, boating and fishing and could build and fix just about anything. He was an avid Alabama Crimson Tide and Pittsburgh Steelers football fan. He will be remembered for being a wonderful and loving husband, father and Pop. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Matt to Support our Soldiers - 733 Mill Springs Lane, Birmingham, AL 35244 or the Foundation of the First Cavalry Division Association Ia Drang Scholarship -302 Main Street, Copperas Cove, TX 76522.

Tributes

Matthew Anthony Pepe, Jr.

April 14, 1943 - June 27, 2020