Johnny Leroy Epperson passed from this world to enter the gates of Heaven on Wednesday, October 26, 2016. John was born on December 30, 1937 to John & Eleanor Epperson in Springfield, MO. John was saved as a young boy at Lone Star Baptist Church in Brighton, MO. He was a member of Eudora Baptist Church for over 50 years and was also the song leader for over 20. He was blessed with a beautiful singing voice and sang many specials at church.

John attended grade school at Bird Eye, a one room schoolhouse near his home. He attended Jr. High & High School at Marion C. Early in Morrisville, MO where he graduated in 1955. While in high school he played basketball, softball, ran track, and sang in the choir.

He met the love of his life Gladys when she was a freshman and he was a sophomore. The high school sweethearts were married June 9, 1956. They were always inseparable and set a wonderful example of true love. They lived most of their lives in Eudora. They were blessed with a daughter, Gayla and a son, Brad. John was the engineer behind the first heads to be manufactured at the Paul Mueller Company. He would be the supervisor of the Head Department for 30 years. John and Gladys moved to Springfield in 1983 where they resided until John's retirement from Paul Mueller Company after 41 years at which time they moved across the street from Gayla and Kim on a farm in Republic. After his retirement from Paul Mueller he went to work with his son-in-law Kim, at Federal Protection, Inc.® for over 14 years.
John was an avid gardener, loved raising chickens, restoring antique wood cook stoves, and fishing with his family at Bennett Springs State Park. Above all else John or "Papa" as he was known by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren loved attending sporting events, concerts or anything they were involved in.
John and Gladys never missed an opportunity to spend time together. They loved visiting Montana on family vacations and fishing in the rivers and lakes. They took many trips with friends and family – to Hawaii with Jack and Joann Scott, Colorado & the California coast with Morris & Wilma Stephens, and Joyce and Clinton Rowan, as well as the East Coast with Loren and Donna Hulse.

John is survived by his loving wife of over 60 years Gladys, daughter Gayla & son-in-law Kim Hancock of Republic, Grandchildren Donald and wife Laura Hancock of Springfield, Jenny and husband Chris Schulze of Republic, Amy and husband Layne Oberbeck of Republic, and Grant Hancock also of Republic, Great-grandchildren Kaya & Elle Hancock, Maelee & Gracee Schulze, & Lily Oberbeck. John is also survived by brother-in-law Clinton Rowan of Aldrich, Sisters-in-law Wilma Stephens of Springfield, Ann Rogers of Morrisville, and Marie Epperson of Springfield and many nieces & nephews.

John is preceded in death by his son Brad who he dearly loved, his parents, his in-laws Drew & Aleen Stephens, his brothers Jim, Dan, & Bill Epperson, his sisters-in-law Judy Rogers, Joyce Rowan, Norma Epperson, and Ann Epperson, his brothers-in-law Morris Stephens and Carl Rogers.

Services will be held at Eudora Baptist Church in Eudora, MO on Saturday, October 29th at 10 a.m., with Pastor Scotty Killingsworth officiating. Burial will be at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Aldrich, MO following the service. Services under the direction of Wilson-Griffin Funeral Home, Walnut Grove.

The family would like to thank the caregivers and staff at Maplewood Alzheimer's Care Center for the support and love they provided to John.