Ernest Epps

EPPS, Ernest Patrick

Pat Epps, 91, of Atlanta, Georgia, passed away at home peacefully on Friday, November 14, 2025. Born on February 23, 1934, in Athens, Georgia, he was the ninth of ten children born to Omie Lucile Williams Epps and Ben Thomas Epps who is celebrated as Georgia's first aviator.

Pat was three years old when his father was killed in an airplane crash. Despite this tragedy, Pat's mother still encouraged her children to fly, leading six sons and one daughter to become pilots. In 1952, Pat soloed in a Piper J-3 Cub before leaving for college at the Georgia Institute of Technology. While at Georgia Tech, he joined the Air Force R.O.T.C. program and received his commission as second lieutenant in the spring of 1956, and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

In 1956, Pat served as a Boeing flight test engineer on the prototype of the 707 in Seattle. He next entered the U.S. Air Force to become a co-pilot in the Boeing C-97 Stratocruiser and the Fairchild C-123 Provider. When his military service was over in 1963, Pat went to Huntsville, Alabama to work for his brother, George, as an engineer at an engineering space company. Later that year, he and George answered a Flying magazine ad and became a Mooney Aircraft dealer for Georgia and Alabama.

In 1965, Pat, along with two of his brothers, George and Charles, established Epps Air Service at Dekalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK) in Atlanta, Georgia which operated over 58 years. Pat transformed a small fixed-base operation into an iconic, full-service aviation company where he provided many a start to their career in aviation.

The FBO business was Pat's passion in life! He started with 19 employees and two hangars and expanded on 21 acres to 250 employees and eight hangars. His mantra to his employees was "the customer pays the bills, so take good care of the customer." Epps served the general aviation, corporate, government, disabled veterans, medical flights, aerobatic, and warbird community. His wife, Ann, was his most loyal supporter.

Pat was also known globally for directing the remarkable recovery of a WWII P-38 Lightning from beneath the Greenland ice cap with the Greenland Expedition Society from 1981-1992. He exemplified the innovation, perseverance, and spirit that define the aviation industry.

Pat's only hobby was flying! He performed at air shows in his signature red, white, and blue aerobatic Beechcraft Bonanza and was most proud to fly at EAA's Oshkosh airshow.

Pat was a tireless supporter of general aviation from technical schools and organizations involved in aviation education. He was an honoree of the 1988 Gathering of Eagles, a recipient of NBAA's American Spirit Award in 1999 and the John P. "Jack" Doswell award in 2007, the 2010 NATA William A. "Bill" Ong Memorial Award, a 2011 Living Legends of Aviation honoree and inducted into Georgia Aviation's Hall of Fame. Pat was a member of the Atlanta Aero Club, the Buckhead Rotary Club, and an avid backer of the Museum of Aviation, serving on the board of directors of the Aviation Hall of Fame.Known for his entrepreneurial vision and tireless commitment to the industry, Pat Epps left behind a legacy as one of Georgia's most influential figures in aviation.

Pat is survived by his wife, Nita Williams Epps; his children by his first wife, Ann Hailey Epps: Patrick Epps, Marian Epps (John Lentini), Elaine Epps; and his grandchildren: Kelly Epps Stewart (Patch), Jake Tharp (Nicole), Hailey Tharp, Hank Persons, Jack Persons; and great-grandchildren: Carsten Tharp, Grace and Charlie Stewart; a multitude of nieces and nephews; along with Nita Epps' children: Beth Spurgeon (Andrew), and Richard Williams (Amanda); and grandchildren: Campbell, Sawyer, and Summer Fretz, and Sloane and Henry Williams. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 57 years, Ann Hailey Epps; his three sisters: Evelyn Galt, Virginia Whitaker, Rosamond Utley; and his six brothers: Ben T. Epps, Jr., Harry Epps, Charles Epps, George Epps, Doug Epps and John Edward Epps.

Family will receive friends on Wednesday, November 19 from 6-8 PM at H.M. Patterson & Son Oglethorpe Hill Chapel, 4550 Peachtree Rd. NE. Funeral Services held Thursday, November 20, Peachtree Road Methodist Church 3180 Peachtree Rd, NW at 11 AM. Committal Service will follow, 2 PM at Oconee Hill Cemetery, 297 Cemetery St., Athens, GA 30605.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to: The Elaine Clark Center, EAA, The Shepherd Center Foundation or your favorite charity.

The Elaine Clark Center, EAA, www.elaineclarkcenter.org, www.eaa.org.