MEMORIAL MASS
Please join the family in celebrating the life of
Ronald J Eppley
Saturday, July 22, 2017 at 10:00 am
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Parish
19002 North 128th Avenue
Sun City West, AZ 85375
There will be a gathering following the mass in the reception hall.
This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Ron Eppley, 79. We will remember him forever.
Ronald Jay Eppley passed away peacefully on July 13, 2017 at his home in Sun City West, AZ after valiantly battling cancer for three years.
Ron was born on May 9, 1938, in York County, PA, where he lived until he joined the U. S. Air Force in 1957. He only intended to serve for a single four year tour but when the Cuban Missile Crisis hit he extended for another year. 30 years after he enlisted and many moves around the world, he retired with the highest honors as an E-9, Chief Master Sergeant in 1987.
Not being done serving his country, he then accepted a position as a civilian working for the Air Force at Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson. After 12 years stateside, he and his wife decided one more tour overseas was needed before retirement and off to England and Germany they went for 3 more years.
They settled in Sun City West in February 2006, and on move-in day, Ron was playing softball. These 11 years have been his fondest memories with a bunch of great and fine softball and racquetball players. His friends and teammates were among his most cherished companions. He gave of himself and his time selflessly and almost always with a smile.
Ron is survived by his wife, Karen and their 4 children: Richard & Amy Eppley, Greeley, CO, Deborah & Morgan Dowling, Waynesville, MO, Robin & Gene Jones, San Antonio, TX, and Dianna & Ty Newport, Ahwatukee, AZ. He was preceded in death by a son, Randy Eppley, his brother, Raymond Eppley, and both his parents. He is also survived by 19 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild, and his sister, Rita Streett, Stewartstown, PA.
His wife, Karen & his family want to thank Ron’s many friends and cohorts that he has had over his lifetime, both in the Air Force and retired life. He is remembered, especially by Air Force friends, with the motto “you prepare, you do, and you put away.” Ron preferred “no big deal” to be his final thought.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org), to help end all cancer or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) where Ron and Karen have always supported.
Prayers for Ron and his family are greatly appreciated.
Some of you know Miss Daisey....not by name ...by description. She was the Chevy Ron was restoring with great love. Parts for the car were at times hard to find. He mentioned it to my husband, Don that he found a part he needed for Miss Daisey in Colorado. So off we go...Karen, Ron, Don and I to pick up the part, it was a fun trip. This lets you know how much he loved Miss Daisey. He now has Miss Daisey up and running....he and Don shared Crown Royals on that one ang more..... No he would take Miss Daisey
Some of didn't know who Miss Daisey was by name.....but you knew her by sight.... she was Ron's old Chevy he was restoring with pride and love. Parts were hard to find at times. We, Karen, Ron, Don and I made a fun trip to Colorado for some parts. For Miss Daisey..... Ron would do this. Finally Miss Daisey was up and running.....and he and Don shared Crown Royal to celebrate. Free rides were given to many......and I was one. I needed a ride one day from work, Ron offered to give me a ride in Muss Daisey...my free ride. Picked me up at CPO and off we went...it was a great ride until Miss Daisey got tired on E. Broadway, west of Kolb Rd.....in the mingle of traffic. What should one do with a tired car that would not move......push it out of traffic. So Ron and this grey hair grandmother pushed Miss Daisey out of traffic and had a great laugh and have. Laughed over it many times since. I had respect for Miss DIsey.......I had respect for Miss Daisey.....my dad taught me to drive with his old Chevy.
Ciao, Ron. The General has heaven
waiting for you...and heaven will never be the same with you both up there.
Chiefs Group Reunion Washington DC Aug. 2016 on the dinner boat cruise, Potomac.
Great memories.
Before my time working for Chief in Tucson which began in 1991, his and Karen's home on Stoner Pl. was the official (unofficial) gathering place for parties. This address was also the "bed and breakfast" for so many of the Eppley's friends. This open and welcoming beheavour never ceased.
Consumate hosts, Karen and Ron provided a place for gatherings of all kinds. Among them was the highschool graduation of my two oldest children and my Air Force retirement party. Much of my famiily and friends from various corners of the United States and abroad converged at the home on the corner of Stoner Ave and Stoner Place. (see pictures added by me)
When Karen and Ron decided to leave arizona for their last assignment to England, knowing that I and my family were "fans" of the property... Karen and Ron offerred it to us. My answer was that I would certainly want the house but that I knew that I could not afford it. Ron's reply was "yes you can!"
Needless to say the house was never listed and our family (my Brother) made the deal that keeps the stoner address alive, well and available for parties!
After a time Chief decided that he wanted to have a Davis-Monthan Reunion and he asked me if the Stoner Place address was up to it and available. On July 3rd 2010 the patio and pool upgrade that my brother Ted designed and paid for was done and the Eppley D-M Reunion party was the 2010, 4th of July extravaganza!
Over 25 years of Air Force and civilian friends and family convereged on the historic site of nearly all of the great Logistic Group parties. (see pictures)
I am proud to say that my brother, my wife and I have continued to keep our pledge to keep the Stoner Place home active and avialable. As recently as February of this year, Karen and Ron were special guest at Stoner Place for our welcome party when Ted and Deborah (wife) came to tucson. (see Photos)
If you are ever in the area, feel free to contact us and stop by... you will be kindly received!
P.S. Party dates are available!
-Lamont
