Anthony Peppers "Coach Pep"

Anthony Peppers, 67, a cornerstone of the Lubbock High community and a tireless advocate for student-athlete safety, passed away on January 22, 2026. To the students, he was simply “Coach Pep" the person who could fix anything with a bit of tape and a lot of heart. Viewing will be held Friday, January 30, 2026 at 1 pm at First United Methodist Church and Celebration of Life Service will follow at 2 pm. Interment will follow at Peaceful Gardens Memorial Park under the direction of Griffin Mortuary. 

Born on May 3, 1958, in Lubbock, Texas, Anthony’s passion for sports medicine led him to Texas Tech University, but his heart always remained on the sidelines. He was the first to arrive at the field and the last to leave the training room, ensuring every athlete felt seen, supported, and ready for the whistle. 

Beyond the bags of ice and the concussion protocols, Coach Pep was a mentor who taught hundreds of students and athletes the value of resilience and the importance of listening to one’s body. Whether he was calming a frantic freshman after a first injury or cheering on a senior’s return for the championships, Coach Pep was the steady hand through it all. 

Anthony graduated from Dunbar High School in 1975 and from Texas Tech University in 1979 with a bachelor’s degree in science. He started his career with Lubbock Independent School District in 1983 and over the next 43 years he worked at Whiteside Elementary, Rush Elementary, J. T. Hutchinson Junior High, and Lubbock High teaching physical education and health and serving as athletic trainer. He was promoted to Head Athletic Trainer in 1998. 

He was preceded by his grandparents Raymond Sr. and Mozelle Peppers and Clarence and Jessie Lee Denzy, and his brother, Ricky Peppers. He is survived by his parents Raymond Jr. and Murry Peppers, sister Marilyn Peppers-Citizen (Jesse Citizen), nephew Marcel Peppers Jones, family, and a legacy of "tape and grit" that will live on in every athlete he helped across the finish line.