Dr. Howard Keith Eppinger

Dr. (Retired) Howard Keith Eppinger, 88, of Loudon, Tennessee passed away the evening of Friday, April 4, 2025, at his home in Tellico Village. Dr. Eppinger was born on December 22, 1936, in Norton, Kansas. His parents were Harry and Zelda (Frame) Eppinger. His true passion was carving and painting wood birds, painting animals such as cats curled up on flat rocks, wood-working making and painting unique wood clocks. He was a seasoned golfer and loved his Porsche and Mercedes sports cars. In addition, he enjoyed annual hunting duck, quail and pheasant trips in western Kansas with family and friends.
Howard attended University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) and received his degree in Pharmacy and continued on for his PHD into Dentistry. He was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. He was a member of the Kansas Dental Association and member of the Holton Country Club.
He met his future wife Patricia K. Johnson of Kansas City, Missouri in 1958 while she attended UMKC and he was in Pharmacy residency. They were married at Broadway United Methodist Church in Kansas City, Missouri on June 19, 1960. They celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary in 2020. After married and their first daughter, Cheryl Lynn, with Down's syndrome they moved to Germany while serving the United States Army. After 3 years serving and a second daughter, Krista Kay, they returned to the United States.
They made their home in a small town of Holton, Kansas and Dr. Eppinger started his hometown Dentistry practice in Holton. After in Holton, a third daughter, Lisa Lane, arrived after settling in their new home town and continued to practice Dentistry in town for over 40 years. They raised all 3 daughters in Holton and attended Elementary School and High School in Holton, Kansas.
Dr. Eppinger continued to serve his country as a Military Dentist in the Army Reserves until retiring militarily after 25+ years of service. They retired from his Dentist practice in 2005 from Holton and moved to Retirement Community of Tellico Village in Loudon, Tennessee. He loved his golf game and played 3-4 days a week within the Tellico Village Golf Courses and Rarity Bay Communities. He enjoyed his wood carving artistry and showed his works in the Art Guild of Tellico Village for numerous years receiving several blue ribbons with his beautiful bird wood carvings.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Zelda Eppinger; his in-laws Walter and Lucille Johnson; daughter, Cheryl Lynn; brother, David Eppinger; sister, Carolyn (Eppinger) Higgason; brother-in-law; Dillion Higgason; son-in-law, Timothy T. Dearing; brother-in-law Charles Callahan and niece Peggy Callahan; niece Julie (Higgason) Oltjen; brother-in-law William Dean; brother-in-law Jim Johnson; nephew Pekka Holberg.
Survivors include wife Patricia Kay Eppinger; daughter Krista Kay (Patrick) Eppinger-O'Donnell; daughter Lisa Lane Dearing; granddaughters Sommer O'Donnell, Macy O'Donnell, Harley Dearing; sister Gloria Callahan; sister-in-law Helen Eppinger; nephew Patrick (Jeanne) Callahan; niece Kelly (David) Dominguez; nephew JD (Stephanie) Higgason; sister-in-law Judy Dean; sister-in-law Mary Johnson; niece Kim (Michael) White; niece Jenny Holberg; niece Kelsey Johnson; nephew Kyle Johnson; nephew Sean (Beth) Johnson and great nieces and great nephews.
There will be a private family Celebration of Life and a Funeral Service will be scheduled at a later date.