Lt. Col. Norman “Norm” Dean Epperson, U.S Air Force, retired, died after a long and fulfilling 82 years of life on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019. Norm was born Feb. 15, 1937, in Houston, Mo., to Calvin and Una Reynolds Epperson, and stepfather, Clarence McBride.
Norm is preceded in death by his parents; his two children, Dawna Schuerman and Darrel Epperson; one brother, Gerald Epperson; two half-brothers, Sherman Epperson and Edward McBride; and one half-sister, Shirley Epperson.
He is survived by his loving wife, Juanita Custer-Epperson of Houston, Mo.; one brother, Kenneth Epperson and wife, Sharon of Columbia, Mo.; three half-brothers, Keith McBride, John Epperson and Tom Epperson; five half-sisters, Jackie Garin, Sandy Love, Mary Piker, Kathryn Bogdanavich and Pat Majeski; three granddaughters, Angela Fuwell and husband, Gary, of Houston, Mo., Kari Goforth and husband, Dusty, of Forsyth, Mo., and Amanda Chambers and husband, Bryan, of Mountain View, Mo.; two grandsons, Darrell Epperson and Douglas Epperson and wife, Billy Jo, all of Bethany, Mo.; nine great-granddaughters, Alexis Fuwell, Katlyn Fuwell, Novey Goforth, Rylie Goforth, Dani Thomas, Lundynn Chambers, Paisley Epperson, Janessa Epperson and Zoe Epperson; one great-grandson, Zachery Fuwell; and one great-great-granddaughter, Everly Rene` Williams.
Norm served in the U.S. Air Force, serving his country proudly for 20 years, before his retirement on Nov. 23, 1975. During his time of service, he served in the Vietnam War as a navigator for the U-2 Reconnaissance Surveillance planes. He had been stationed in Germany, England, and Idaho for a good duration of his service. He retired having earned several medals for heroism and numerous other commendations. After Norm retired from the Air Force he moved back to his hometown of Houston, Mo., where he finished out the remainder of his life with the love of his life, Juanita. He ran large cattle farms, traveled and continued to fly as much as he could.
Norm was a Godly man. It would be difficult to meet a man who more faithfully lived his values. He taught by example and never would ask of anyone what he didn’t expect from himself. Norm tried to enrich his family, as well as his community, with strong values, knowledge, love and faith, willing to do whatever was needed, including the raising of his three granddaughters for most of their lives, helping at the county fair, working with the local FFA chapter, helping the class of ’57, caring for the Little Ones in the nursery on Sundays at church, organizing a horseback ride for Indian children to take them along the mountains in Idaho or serving with his abilities as a Ham operator for servicemen and their families.
He gave of himself fully to help others. He led by example, and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Norman Dean Epperson was a hero, an amazing father, grandfather, husband, brother and friend. He will be dearly missed by so many, Rest in Peace, our dear and treasured Norm Epperson; we will always love and miss you.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Houston FFA Chapter or the Norman Epperson Scholarship Fund. Online condolences may be expressed at www.evansfh.com.
Services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, at Faith Fellowship with Pastor Bill Villapiano officiating. A private family inurnment with full military honors will be at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Springfield, Mo., at a later date under the direction of Evans Funeral Home.
PAID