Edgar Lee Epperson

Edgar Lee “Ed” Epperson, age 95, of Kissimmee, Florida, passed away on March 5, 2026 after a long and wonderful life. Born on June 3, 1930 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to William R. and Mildred B. Epperson, he was the third of four children. He is survived by his sister Mary Ann Cordes, his children Cynthia Lee Ryan of Blowing Rock, North Carolina, Greg Epperson of Salinas, California, Dr. Patrick Epperson of Livermore, California, and Cathleen Kwas of Lake Mary, Florida, along with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Ed enlisted in the Navy at eighteen and served with the Navy Air Transport Command VR-3 at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland. Honorably discharged in 1950, he returned home to his high school sweetheart, Patricia Denley. They married in 1951 and raised four children—Cindy, Greg, Patrick, and Cathy—in a home grounded in faith, family, hard work, and community service.

His professional life began in retail sales with Sears Roebuck & Co. in Fort Wayne, leading to a store manager position in Galion, Ohio, in 1961. He later served as Division Personnel Manager at ITT North Electric Company. In Ohio, Ed was deeply involved with the First United Methodist Church of Galion, where he taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, and held administrative roles. He also volunteered with the Auxiliary Police Unit and served as president of the Galion School Board. In 1982, Ed and Pat moved to Kissimmee, Florida, where he became Vice President of Administration at OKI Systems Engineering. In 1987, he began a decade-long career as a philanthropic financial consultant, traveling the country with Pat to lead fundraising campaigns for churches.

A lifelong artist, Ed mastered stained glass, model ships, woodworking, and cross-stitch, earning numerous awards at the Florida State Fair. A devout Christian, devoted husband of seventy years to Patricia, and a loving father, grandfather, and friend, he touched many lives through his quiet service, creativity, and faith. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.