Raymond Epps

1938 - 2017

Raymond Riley Epps
1938-2017
Raymond Riley Epps, known to all as "RAY", died on October 1, 2017 as a result of complications of COPD and Cancer. He is survived by his beloved wife and best friend of 40 years, Dorothy Ann Epps, known to all as "DOT". Ray is further survived by 7 children. The blended children in age order: Bruce and wife Benita Bergman, Jill Ivy, Wendy Simon, twin sons, Riley and wife Lisa Epps, Ray and wife Marcy Epps, Tracy Brooks, Cindy and husband John Randolph. He is survived by Brother Jim and wife Mickey Epps, Sister Gaye and husband Harvey Mitschke. Ray has 18 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Born and raised in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod he was confirmed in 1953, graduated from Jeff Davis High School, and was signed by Texas A & M football coach, Paul, "Bear' Bryant to a football scholarship in May, 1955. Injury prevented a career in athletics, so he transferred to University of Houston, obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Political Science. While writing his Master's Thesis, Dr. Sinclair, head of the Political Science Department suggested Ray enter law school, which he did in the summer of 1960. He graduated from Bates College of Law in May, 1966, and obtained his license in September, 1966, and practiced law to the day he died. While in law school, he was elected Magistrate of the legal scholastic fraternity, Phi Delta Phi, and represented Bates College of Law at the International convention in 1965 in Quebec, Canada.
He loved both the criminal and family law, converting primarily to the family law in 1988. Ray was the first lawyer to represent the Bandito Motorcycle club in December 1966, and did so until January, 1981. Ray tried the first felony all-black jury in Harris County history in 1976, the first all-female jury in Nueces County history in 1980; the first felony jury trial in Real County history in 1982, and became the Real County attorney by contract in January, 1982 and served until February, 1985, all the while maintaining his Harris County office. He was instrumental in making the Real County Court at Law a court of record. The elected county judge at the time was a ranch foreman. Ray's biggest thrill in law practice, and cherished more than anything else, is the Pro Bono certificates received from the State Bar of Texas.
In the early years Ray spent his free time coaching the boys in football and baseball and daughter's in softball. He was delighted that each of the twin boys received college scholarships and one went on to play in the pros. Ray was Santa Claus for several years for the CyFair lSD, Pre-K and, Special Need's" children. With all 7 children out of the house Dot and Ray traveled extensively, loving to cruise--Two transatlantic, Greek Islands, Alaska, Scandinavian countries, and all of the Caribbean., A highlight of their travels was the 1986 State Bar sponsored 21-day trip to Russia. Incredible. Their first true love was and still is-the Southwest States-New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, etc., and all things connected to the original inhabitants of the USA. Ray, along with his very close brother, Jim, have hunted and fished throughout the USA, Canada, Yukon Territory and Mexico. Ray felt he had a blessed life full of love and is very proud of his well-known statement throughout his illustrious career --"My word is my bond"
Memorial Service, 11:00 AM, Thursday, October 5, 2017, St. John Lutheran Church, 15235 Spring Cypress Cypress, TX 77429.
In lieu of flowers Ray has requested donations be made to St. Jude Cancer Center, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 or The Star of Hope, PO Box 4463, Houston, Texas, 77210.