James R. Epps

James Russell Epps, 96, a long-time resident of Dewey, OK passed away on July 10, 2018 in Bartlesville, OK. He was born to the late Kenneth A. and Louisa S. Epps on March 19, 1922 in Hutchinson, KS. He leaves behind his wife of 22 years, Mary Shipley Epps, of Dewey, OK. He was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Marjorie V. Epps; five brothers, Fritz, Sherburn, Tommy, Herman and Donnie; and two sisters, Blanche Epps Hughes and Donna Epps; his son-in law, Mike Welch; and two grandchildren, Douglas and Stephen Gorbaty. He is survived by his sister Shirley Epps Vaughn of Springfield, MO.; son, Gary Epps and wife, Sandra Huggins Epps and daughter Mary Epps-Welch, both of Edmond, OK; son, Craig Epps and wife, Natalie Norwood Epps of Dewey, OK; and daughters, Janice Epps Gorbaty of Meraux, LA. James has five grandchildren, Amy Epps David, Robyn Epps Ramer and Jason Gorbaty, all of Edmond, OK, Heather Epps Ellis of Coweta, OK, and Russell Gorbaty of Chalmette, LA., as well as nine great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his step-daughters, Dianna Smith Phelps and husband, Jeff and Denise Smith Margerum, step grandchildren Angela Phelps Jeffers and husband, Bobby, Sabrina Phelps Schmittle and husband, Michael, Kyle Margerum and ten step great-grandchildren. Jim grew up in Borger, Texas and graduated from Phillips High School in 1941. He was a star athlete and received a football scholarship to West Texas State University. He enlisted in the US Navy in WWII (1943) and was honorably discharged in 1946. He married Marjorie V. Aulmann in 1946, and they raised their family in Dewey, OK in the house that Jim designed and built. While in Dewey, he was very active in the community. He started the Boy Scout Troop 19 at the Dewey United Methodist Church in 1967. During his many years of service to the Boy Scout organization, he received many honors including the Silver Beaver Award, which is the highest recognition a Boy Scout Council can bestow on an adult leader. One of his many hobbies over the years was leather work. He made several tooled leather projects for the Tom Mix Museum, and his leather work was featured on the cover of the Dewey Phone Book. He also served on the executive committee to create the Tom Mix Museum, as well as helped create the Tom Mix Music Festival in Dewey. Jim also enjoyed doing woodwork and built many toys, cradles and rocking horses for family and friends throughout the years. Jim coached girls’ softball for many years in the 1970s. No other organized sports were offered for girls in Dewey at that time. He was a popular coach, and everyone wanted to be on his team. He went on to coach many winning teams and won several championships. Jim married the former Mary L. Shipley in 1996 at the Dewey United Methodist Church. They enjoyed collecting vintage cars and trucks and were members of the Horseless Carriage Club. He and Mary drove many of the antique automobiles in several parades. In addition to driving the antique automobile in the parades, Jim also built the annual Dewey United Methodist Church Christmas float for many years and won several First Place awards for these floats. He personally worked on these floats well into his 90’s. He was a member of the Dewey United Methodist Church in Dewey, OK, since 1951 and was a long standing member of the United Methodist Men’s group. He also served as a Mason for many years. Jim worked for Phillips Petroleum Company for 39 years in the Engineering Dept. as a Cost Field Accountant and later was promoted to the position of Cost Analyst, supervising new building sites. His career was centered in Bartlesville, OK, but he also worked in several states as well as in Canada throughout his career with Phillips. Jim’s family will receive friends at the Davis Family Funeral Home – Dewey Chapel, 918-534-3030, 113 S. Osage (Hwy. 75), Dewey, on Thursday, July 12, from 6-8 p.m. Visitation without family will also be held Friday 9-12. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. on Friday, July 13, at the Dewey United Methodist Church. Interment will follow in the Dewey Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Carter Davis and the Davis Family Funeral Home – Dewey Chapel. Online condolences and remembrances may be shared at www.DavisFamilyFuneralHome.com.

James R. Epps

March 19, 1922 - July 10, 2018