My dad, John Wesley Keith Pepper was born in Lincoln, Lincoln County, Kansas on Wednesday, 18 May 1932. He was the firstborn child of John Prouty and Reita Geraldine (Bishop) Pepper. He had five siblings born between 1935 and 1947, making a total of six children born to John and Reita.

Dad was born in his grandparent's home in Lincoln. They were William Franklin "Frank" and Hattie May (Boyer) Bishop. I have a painting of their home.

Unfortunately, the Great Depression peaked between 1932 and 1933, so this was a very difficult time for John and Reita. Grandpa John had to do all sorts of odd jobs to keep the family fed. Their little family moved many times in the early years in order to find work. "The average income of the American family dropped by 40 percent from 1929 to 1932. Income fell from $2,300 to $1,500 per year." - See more at: The Great Depression

They lived in Kansas, Wyoming and Colorado.

Dad grew up in small towns and on the Old Pepper Farm near Barnard, Lincoln County, Kansas. He drove a tractor plowing the fields when he was about 10. I grew up hearing the stories about Old Paint the Paint horse and Ring the dog.

He graduated from Barnard High School in 1950 along with his cousin Lloyd Jackson.

To be continued...