Obituary: Dr. Terry Ray Lepper

Grandfather, longtime local veterinarian, professor, volunteer

Dr. Terry Ray Lepper, of Claremont, died December 10, 2024 at the age of 78 after a battle with dementia. “He will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by a wide circle of family and friends,” his family shared.

Born in Joliet, Illinois, to Jack and Geraldine Lepper, Terry demonstrated academic, athletic and musical talent from an early age. After graduating from Joliet Township High School, he enrolled at University of Illinois, where he played in the marching band and earned awards for musicianship while earning bachelor’s degrees in biology and chemistry. He subsequently earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at University of Illinois in 1972.

He moved out West, first to Las Vegas and then to Claremont, as a young veterinarian. For nearly 40 years, he owned and operated Citrus Veterinary Clinic in La Verne, specializing in surgery. He taught and inspired future veterinarians as a professor at University of La Verne and California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. He was a staunch supporter of animal welfare and served as a member of the board of directors of the Inland Valley Humane Society and S.P.C.A for nearly four decades.

He also dedicated his time to a variety of other civic and philanthropic organizations, including the La Verne Rotary Club, where he was the director of the international student exchange program. Through that, he developed many lifelong friendships. He was also active with the American Red Cross of the Inland Empire.

“Terry loved a good round of golf, gourmet cuisine, fine wine, strong gin and tonics, and traveling around the world to explore and partake in all of these,” his family added. Some of his favorite destinations included Ireland, Australia, Germany, Switzerland, North Carolina and Hawaii. He also cherished weekend getaways with his wife, Nedra, in Santa Barbara and San Diego, as well as his annual fishing trip in Canada with his son, Carl, and close friends.

As much as he enjoyed traveling, especially when accompanied by his family, he also took great pleasure in comforts closer to home, such as favorite meals at his go-to restaurants. Shiro and Bistro 45 (both in the Pasadena area) and Chicago-style hot dogs were perennial favorites. He enjoyed rewatching the movie “Grumpy Old Men” and episodes of The Honeymooners, I Love Lucy and The Big Bang Theory. “He loved opera and symphonic music, particularly LA Philharmonic performances, and was known to sing Christmas carols all year round, his family added. “He had a particularly soft spot in his heart for dogs. We like to believe he would have been met by his favorite pup, Max, at the rainbow bridge.”

He is survived by his wife, Nedra Vincent; son Carl Lepper and his wife Aimee Canlas of Camarillo, California; daughter Megan Gastel and her husband Robert of Norco, California; and daughter Carrie Gribbon and her husband Danny of Upland; grandchildren Blakely, George and Landon; sister, Helen Collard; and brother, Dale Lepper.

A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 8 at Friends Church chapel, 5211 Lakeview Ave., Yorba Linda, CA 92886.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his name to the Inland Valley Humane Society and S.P.C.A. at ivhsspca.org, or by check to 500 Humane Way, Pomona, CA 91766.

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