James David Jepson, a local attorney and longtime resident of Fort Stockton, Texas, passed away on June 1, 2021, in San Antonio, Texas.

James is survived by his mother Carolina Jepson of San Antonio; wife Elma Jepson of Fort Stockton; son David Jepson and wife Mel of San Antonio; and two grandchildren, James Ryder and Ryleigh Denice Jepson of San Antonio.

He was proceeded in death by his Father Jesse Marion Jepson and Son James Robert Jepson.

James was born in San Antonio on March 27, 1955, to Jesse and Carolina Jepson. James Jepson graduated from the University of Texas Permian Basin in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, and earned a Juris Doctorate in Law from Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University in December 1991.

Prior to law school James served over 16 years in law enforcement. James first came to Fort Stockton in 1978 as a police officer for the City of Fort Stockton. He also served as chief deputy sheriff of Reagan County for over three years before being accepted into law school at Texas Southern University in 1989. Jepson also served as a peace officer in Houston, Texas, while attending law school and raising his two sons as a single parent.

As an attorney James served as an assistant district attorney with the 83rd and 112th Judicial Districts of Texas from November 1992 to December 2000, covering Brewster, Crockett, Jeff Davis, Pecos, Presidio, Reagan, Sutton, and Upton counties. Jepson was also appointed special prosecutor in the 109th Judicial District of Winkler County in 1996.

James was a former member of the College of the State Bar, the government attorneys involved in capital litigation and the National Association of District Attorneys. James also served as the general counsel for the McCamey County Hospital District for over 20 years. James left the District Attorney’s office in December 2000, and opened a private law firm in January 2001 where he represented the wrongly accused. James' passion as an attorney was representing the oppressed and the underdog, always ready for a fight.

In James' downtime, he loved to farm and ranch at JR's Farms in east Pecos County.

James was a devoted son, husband, father, father in-law, papa and friend. James was married to Elma Jepson, the love of his life, for 11 years. Together they created a lifetime of memories, and were always up for an adventure. By their side were their three beloved German shepherds, Prince Benz of Bakersfield, Sir Maximus of Bakersfield, and Radar "the rescue dog.”

As a father James was able to teach his sons what true work ethic, compassion, and drive look like. Even though James worked extremely hard, he always had the time to play a pickup game of football with his sons as reigning "all time quarterback," and teaching his sons how to hunt, fish, and live off the land. James' guidance and love as a father was passed down to his grandchildren whom he adored. As a father, James had a strict, firm stance with his sons. That firmness faded into a soft-hearted grandfather. James, or papa to his grandchildren, always had time to wrestle with his grandson, chase zombies with his granddaughter, and was the greatest couch snuggler to ever be. Most saw James in a stern professional manner, but his family had the opportunity to see the soft hearted, kind, goofy, gentle giant that he was - a side few ever saw.

The visitation was held June 6, 2021, at Heritage Funeral Home. The funeral service was held June 7, 2021, at Our Lady of Guadalupe. Burial followed at East Hill Cemetery.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at             heritagefuneralhomeofthebigbend.com.