Jaro L. Lepic
US Marines Corps
1943-1946, WWII
Jaro “Joc” Lepic was born on May 31st, 1924 in Iowa City to Otto Lepic and Bozena Cermak Lepic. He took pride in this Bohemian Heritage and his Goosetown upbringing.
After graduation from City High in 1942, Joc enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served his county proudly as a gunner in a dive bomber during WWII. In 1945, his squadron was stationed on the USS Salerno Bay Aircraft Carrier and saw duty in the Pacific.
In the Marine Corps, Joc was the Welter Weight Boxing Champion of the Pacific, knocking out the Golden Gloves champion of the state of New York. He returned home at Christmas time in 1945, went to Great Lakes Naval Base and in March was mustered out as a Staff Sergeant.
In June of 1946, Joc married Reta Douglas. His intentions were to attend the University of Iowa, but his temporary summer job at Iowa Illinois Gas and Electric turned into his permanent job of 40 years.
He retired in May of 1986. Joc enjoyed walking, hunting, fishing, mushrooming, and watching his Sunday Bears games. On May 14th, 2012 Joc died at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City.
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