Edgar Lee Epperson

Edgar Lee "Ed" Epperson, age 95, of Kissimmee, Florida went to be with the Lord on March 5, 2026 after a long and wonderful life. He was born on June 3,1930 to William R. and Mildred B Epperson of Fort Wayne, Indiana, the third of four children.

He is survived by sister Mary Ann Cordes, daughter Cynthia Lee Ryan (David) of Blowing Rock, North Carolina, and granddaughter Samantha Ryan; son Greg Epperson (Barb) of Salinas, California, and grandchildren Maj. Sarah Long (Justin) and Matthew Epperson (Emily); son Dr. Patrick Epperson (Leila) of Livermore, California, grandchildren Jon Epperson, Paul Epperson, and Alejandra Epperson (Lt. Justin Morrison), and great-grandchildren Kayleigh and James Morrison; and daughter Cathleen Kwas (Michael) of Lake Mary, Florida, and grandson Derek Bonilla (Victoria).

Ed was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 70 years, Patricia, brothers John and Raymond, parents William and Mildred, and sons-in-law David Ryan and Michael Kwas.

Ed enlisted in the Navy at the age of 18 and served with the Navy Air Transport Command VR-3 at NAS Patuxent River in Maryland. He was honorably discharged in 1950 and returned home to his high school sweetheart, Patricia Denley.

Ed and Patty married in 1951 and welcomed four children: Cindy, Greg, Patrick, and Cathy. Together, they built a home centered on faith, family, hard work, and service to the community. Ed started a career in retail sales at Sears Roebuck & Co. in Fort Wayne, Indiana. This eventually took the family to Galion, Ohio, where Ed became the store manager of the local Sears in 1961. He eventually left retail and worked as the Division Personnel Manager at ITT North Electric, Co.

During their time in Ohio, Ed served his church and community in many ways. He was involved in the First United Methodist Church of Galion, where he taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, and served in various administrative roles. Elsewhere in the community, Ed volunteered with the Auxiliary Police Unit and served as president of the Galion School Board. Kids in the neighborhood around Teakwood Court would remember him most for dressing up as Santa Claus for many years.

In 1982, Ed and Pat moved to Kissimmee, Florida, where Ed became Vice President of Administration of OKI Systems Engineering. In 1987, Ed's faith and administrative abilities led him into a new career as a philanthropic financial consultant with Ward, Dreshman & Reinhardt, Inc. and James D. Klote & Associates. During the next decade, they traveled across the country, working on fundraising campaigns for churches. Ed designed and ran the campaigns with church leadership while Patty provided all of the administrative support. Ed and Pat fully retired from consulting in 1997.

Ed was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Kissimmee, where he again taught Sunday school with the late Ken Smith, sang in the choir, served as church treasurer, and supervised a year-long renovation of the church. Ken and Ed had a great friendship that also included their shared love of American History. In more recent years, Ed attended the First Presbyterian Church of Kissimmee.

Ed was a true artist, mastering many crafts throughout his lifetime, including stained glass, model ships, woodworking, and cross-stitch, for which he won numerous awards at the Florida State Fair.

Ed was fortunate to live a long and healthy life. He was a good man, a devout Christian, talented craftsman, and a good husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He touched the lives of so many people and will be missed by all.

A Memorial Service for Patricia and Edgar will be held at 2 pm on Friday, March 27 at the St. Cloud Methodist Church. A Military Funeral Honor Ceremony and reception will follow at the church. Interment will be held at a later time at the Cape Canaveral National Ceremony. The family is being served by Conrad and Thompson of Kissimmee, Florida. Website: https://www.conradandthompson.com.