Stephen Robert Pepoon

Steve Pepoon, a talented and beloved television writer, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Paola, Kansas, on Saturday, May 3, 2025. He was born on May 19, 1956. Steve's creativity and humor touched the lives of many through his remarkable contributions to the world of television.

Paola became his hometown at the age of 2, when his father and mother, Donald and Marianne Pepoon, moved there. During high school, one of Steve’s favorite TV programs was the Dick VanDyke show. The show revolved on a comedy writer and his life; this planted the seed of Steve’s career dream to become a screenwriter.

After graduating from Kansas State University in 1978, Steve worked at Kinney Shoes at Metcalf South Shopping Center to raise enough money to make the move to Southern California. When Steve moved to Los Angeles in 1979, success was not immediate. Steve worked a variety of jobs to support himself until he could sell his first script and become a full time writer. He worked at a bank as a teller, flipped hamburgers one summer, managed a drive-in theater, and ran a video arcade (where he became a pinball wizard!).

When he left his paying jobs at the end of the day, his work was not over. He wrote 35 scripts on speculation in hopes of selling them to various television series. Though he never had any guarantees that a script would be picked up and produced, Steve never gave up.

Steve’s first break came when he sold a script for an episode of “Silver Spoons” in late 1985, that episode aired in January 1986. However, Steve had to persevere before his next opportunity came along. In April 1987, Steve’s persistence finally paid off when the producers of “ALF” bought a script he had written on speculation and hired him as a writer for the series. During his three year stint with “ALF,” Steve continued to write scripts on speculation, including one for an episode of “The Simpsons” that earned an Emmy in 1991 for Best Animated Special.

Following “ALF” Steve wrote scripts for “Ferris Beuller,” a spin-off of the hit movie, which starred Jennifer Aniston. He then worked on “Get a Life” starring Chris Elliott.

His talent then attracted the attention of a couple by the name of Tom and Roseanne, who in 1993 hired him as the head writer for “The Jackie Thomas Show. He wrote for “Roseanne” during the fall of 1993 and was tabbed to write the pilot and serve as head writer/show runner for “Tom” the following spring. Steve enjoyed his working relationship with the Arnolds and felt like he had a remarkably free rein on what he wanted to do with the show.

While writing for a television series might sound glamorous, Steve said that at times it was extremely stressful. While writing for “Tom,” he often worked six days a week, 12 to 14 hours a day ironing out the bugs and dead spots in each episode prior to filming. It takes endless hours of rehearsals, tapings and rewrites to get it right. Every line had to count.

Although Steve lived in California for thirty years, he never forgot his hometown of Paola. The “Tom” show was based in a small town named Miola. For legal reasons it could not be named Paola, but Steve thought Miola would be close enough based on the nearby Lake Miola. In one episode a Triangle Builders sign is prominently displayed. A tribute to the construction company Steve's father, Donald Pepoon, owned and operated here in Paola. Also, in an episode of “ALF,” the furry alien ran up a huge phone bill, including a call to Paola. One of the human characters, upon examining the bill, remarked, “Where in the heck is Paola, Kansas?”

Steve was also the co-creator of the wildly popular show, “The Wild Thornberrys,” which ran from 1998-2004. And, “The Wild Thornberrys: The Origin of Donnie,” a nod to his first nephew Donnie. Steve wrote episodes for Jim Henson’s show “Dinosaurs,” which ran from 1991-1994. And for the “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show.”

He was also part of the production and writing on “Cleghorne!,” “Rugrats Go Wild,” “The PJs,” “You Wish,” “Teen Angel,” and “The Final Insult.”

When Steve was working on the movie “Naked Gun 33 ⅓: The Final Insult,” he had the opportunity to make a cameo appearance in the movie. In a movie edit, they discovered that there were not enough audience members for a particular scene. Because Steve owned a tux, which was a requirement for the scene, he ended up with his own cameo appearance in the movie and a credit line.

Steve had many passions outside of his love of writing. His skill in close-up magic earned him membership into the Academy of Magical Arts and the prestigious Magic Castle in Los Angeles. In addition he dabbled with karate, banjo, juggling and tennis and was a devoted Wimbledon tennis fan as well as K-State football. When he first saw the movie “Back to the Future” he knew he wanted a DeLorean. People always smiled when they saw that vehicle and Steve was happy to share his ride. It became the wedding limo for his best friend’s daughter.

Steve always had a passion for learning more about things that interested him. He would read countless books on a subject and become a semi expert. He enjoyed Astronomy, viewing planets through his telescope, Mark Twain, construction of the Hoover Dam, construction of the Key West Flagler railroad line, the building of the Panama Canal, filming techniques used in Star War movies and was always an avid reader. He loved to watch movies and would search IMBD for every extra fact he could glean about the movie.

His legacy includes a trail of wagging tails and happy hearts as his life was enriched by his unconditional love of dogs, who were his loyal friends and confidants. In recent years, Steve was best recognized around town as Buddy’s chief walker. Known for his sharp wit and even sharper sense of style and comfort, Steve’s love for sweatpants was legendary.

However, Steve's greatest love was for his wife, Mary Stephenson. Their story began in kindergarten at the North School, their paths intertwining again at Paola High School, where they both graduated in 1974. Over the years, they'd encounter each other at class reunions, but it was their 35th reunion in 2009 that ignited a spark, transforming their friendship into a romance. Only 3 ½ weeks after their first lunch date, Steve treated Mary to a romantic cheeseburger and dip cone at the Paola Dairy Queen then proposed on the Courthouse steps. Steve’s dad and mom also had a very short courtship before he proposed, and Steve prided himself on having an even shorter courtship before popping the big question. They exchanged vows October 16, 2009 at the Paola Town Square Event Center. Together, they embarked on countless adventures and travels. The pair frequented Branson on numerous occasions, but also visited Panama, Costa Rica, Mexico, Moldova, Greece, Turkey, Italy, France, Disneyland and Disneyworld with their grandchildren, and many other road trips from coast to coast.

Steve and Mary actively participated in many events with the PHS Class of 74. Steve was recognized at their 50th High School Reunion in 2024 as a recipient of the Paola Alumni Festival Lifetime Achievement Award. Almost every Wednesday afternoon, Steve and Mary would meet with a group of their fellow classmates at Papa C’s and catch up with their friends.

When it was time to downsize their home in 2019, they were thrilled that the very first Paola home they looked at was their dream home. Sitting on the front porch and enjoying small town life was a pleasure they enjoyed from day one of ownership. Steve was always ready to indulge his wife and help transform their front yard into something magical each Halloween and Christmas. Their decorations were legendary. People always seemed to know that they lived in the house with the giant Rudolph and Bumble during the Christmas season and the cackling, broom riding witch each Halloween Mary is grateful for all the experiences they shared during their 16 years together!

Steve was a cherished husband to Mary Stephenson and a loving brother to Michael Pepoon ( Sonja Armbruster) and Bill Pepoon (Francesca Pepoon). He was a devoted stepfather to Katie Casey (Eli) and Nick Hosack (Caitlin). Steve's family extended to his beloved nieces and nephews: Alexandra McCarty (Grant), Donnie Pepoon (Bailie), Joey Pepoon, Hannah Baker (Ethan), and Bethany Wolf (Josh). He was affectionately known as Grandpa Poonie to his grandchildren: Micah, McKenzie, Lily, Audrey, and Dean.

Steve's legacy will continue through the stories he brought to life and the memories he created with his family and friends. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

–In lieu of flowers, the family is collecting memorial contributions to set up a scholarship fund for Paola High School students pursuing writing, theater, or film careers.

–Family & Friends of Stephen R. Pepoon are invited to celebrate and remember Steve's life together on Saturday, May 17th, 2025 at the Paola Community Center (905 E Wea St, Paola, KS 66071).

• Reception: immediately following the service, in the lower level.

The reception is open for all who would like to share food, memories, and time together.

Food provided by the family of Stephen R. Pepoon & the Paola High School Class of 1974.