John Hoyt Epperson, the dashing, clever, and joyful husband, father, grandfather, family man, and friend, passed away in his home on February 25th, 2023, at 88.
Born in Coitsville, OH, to steelworker father Lewis Hoyt Epperson and mother Kate Elaine Dinsmore, John was the youngest of four siblings. Doted on by his sisters Frances, Jean, and Helen, he joined them in many shenanigans that shall remain nameless but whose stories have entertained many.
In 1952 John joined the Air Force and began a 20-year career working on aircraft and munitions that led him worldwide, touching down in many places, including Japan, Korea, and London. It also led him to the love of his life, Delores Kapustka. Stationed in Lincoln, NE, and teaching dance at Fred Astaire Studios on the side, they met on a dance floor when he tried to sell her lessons she did not need. They swept each other off the dance floor and shared 15 years of his military career that took them to California, Germany, and Vietnam, ending at Eglin Air Force Base in north Florida, where near his retirement, they were blessed with two daughters.
Thinking of a new career, John began working in construction. Learning fast and moving up to supervision positions, he spent the next 30 years building family homes, his own two homes, and offices throughout Central Florida, shifting to the construction of metal buildings and the Schwann’s Frozen Food depots for the entire Southeastern United States. One enterprising blip in this plan occurred in 1977 when John took his family to live with him for a year in Taif, Saudi Arabia, working for Northrup Aviation as a trainer and educator on older aircraft.
A man of many interests, talents, and a love of driving, he provided for the safety and care of his family along with his partner Delores while sharing endless fun adventures that included fishing, family road trips across the U.S., visits to the beach, water-skiing, game nights, and so much more. There are not enough words to describe the fun, the merriness, the love shown, and all that was John, but his friends and family know.
Throughout his many years and without fail, he kept his love for his family and friends, incredible fishing skills, unparalleled wit, and the joy of having a much-loved granddaughter well.
He is survived by his wife Delores, his daughters Shawn (Chuck) Geitner, and Sharon L. Epperson, his granddaughter Remi Shea Geitner, his brother Lanier Epperson, and his sister Karen Lefebvre. He was loved and treasured by both family and friends and will be missed so very much.
A memorial service will be held at DeGusipe Funeral Home, Maitland, Florida on Saturday, March 11, 2023, from 1 PM – 3 PM.