Patricia "Pat" Pepper Gager

Patricia “Pat” Pepper Gager led a full life and went to join the Lord and loved ones in heaven on September 21, 2023 at 89 years old. By her side was her family, her pastor and neighbor Dr. Don McGarity, and the compassionate staff of Haven Hospice. Pat was a joyful, warm, and affectionate person who laughed easily and often, and made everyone feel welcome in her presence. Pat was born in Gainesville, Florida to William and Kathryn (Tucker) Pepper. Her father and his siblings were the owners/publishers of the Gainesville Sun. She graduated from Gainesville High and from Stephens College. She also attended the University of Florida where she was a member of the Chi Omega sorority. Pat married the love of her life, the boy next door, William A. Gager, Jr. in the Cadet Chapel at West Point in 1954. They were married for 63 years at the time of Bill’s passing in 2017. She is survived by their children - Jeff Gager (wife Ann), of Panama City Beach, Lindsey Mineer (husband Kevin) of Tampa, and Tom Gager (wife Malinda) of Gainesville. Their grandchildren are Kathryn Padua (husband Justin), Johnathon Gager (with soon to be wife, Kinsley), William Atkins Gager III, and Tommy Gager, Jr. Pat was a homemaker who loved her family dearly. She had a gift of making each of her children feel special. She always said she loved her children equally, but they appealed to her in different ways. Pat and Bill were initially stationed in several places in the United States and in Germany. Pat loved golf and enjoyed playing in tournaments in Nuremburg, Germany during their 3-year tour of duty there. She was a member of PEO, the Chi Omega Book Club, the Patio Club, the Azelea Club of Gainesville, and was a Sustainer in the Junior Leagues of Pensacola, Washington DC, and Gainesville. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Gainesville. Bill and Pat loved to travel and went to places such as Cuba, Alaska, Norway, the Panama Canal, Africa, and much of Europe. Additionally, they participated on mission trips to the Bahamas and the International Baptist Theological Seminary in Ruschlikon, Switzerland. Pat had one brother, William “Bill” Pepper, III, who with his wife Polly, preceded her in death. A Celebration of Life will be held at First Presbyterian Church on September 30, 2023 at 1:00 PM. The Reverends Mark Hults and Dr. Don McGarity will officiate. In lieu of flowers, donations to Haven Hospice, Gainesville are appreciated. They can be contacted at devmail@beyourhaven.org, 800.727.1889, 4200 NW 90th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32606