Wayne Arlan Jepson

The gear was down, the flaps selected and the power set as the pilot came in for his one last, smooth and final landing. The pilot was Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Wayne A. Jepson who passed away on Thursday, February 8, 2018 at an Abilene medical center.

He was born on September 5, 1931 in Wahpeton, North Dakota to Howard and Verna Jepson and lived in Pierre, South Dakota until 1940 when the family moved to Jerome, Idaho. Wayne graduated from Jerome High School in 1949, attended the University of Idaho graduating in 1953 with a BS (Biology) degree and a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. In 1964 he attended the University of Southern California where he was awarded a certificate as a Flying Safety Officer. He later received a Master of Arts degree in Higher Education from Idaho State University. He also did post graduate studies at Brown University, McMurry University and Hardin Simmons University.

Upon graduating from the University of Idaho he married Viola Karas of Pocatello, Idaho on June 26, 1953. Shortly thereafter he entered active duty with the Air Force and retired after 26 years as a Lieutenant Colonel. Upon entering active duty he entered pilot training and received his wings in February of 1955. He acquired more than 7000 hours of flying time during which he flew into 82 countries of the world. He also served in Vietnam from July 1970 to July 1971. He earned the Bronze Star, Air Medal, Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Berlin Airlift Medal, Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with star for Valor, and numerous other service medals. In addition to his flying career he had been an Intelligence Officer, Safety Officer, Disaster Preparedness Officer and a Squadron Commander.

Upon retirement from the Air Force he went to work for the City of Abilene as the Emergency Management Coordinator and Safety Director where he remained for seven years. In 1984 he was recognized as the Outstanding Municipal Safety Officer by the Texas Municipal League. After leaving the City he was employed by Abtex Beverages, Inc. as the Corporate Safety Director. He retired from there in 2001.

He was an active member in the Boy Scouts of America for over 50 years, a fifty year member of the Masons, had been a member of Toastmasters Kiwanis Club, National Sojourners Inc., The American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and was an active member of the Church of The Heavenly Rest where he served as an usher, a licensed Eucharistic Minister and a member and past director of the Brotherhood of Saint Andrew.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his son-in-law, Kenneth Hunter.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Voila; his son, Eric Christian Jepson (Cheryl) of Kansas City, Missouri; a daughter, Amy Louise Vardeman (Kelly) of Hereford, Texas; two grandsons, Corey and Ryan Jepson; a brother, James Jepson (Tamara) of Blackfoot, Idaho; sister, Christine Hunter of Jerome, Idaho; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Funeral service and inurnment in the columbarium will be at the Episcopal Church of The Heavenly Rest, Abilene Texas at 2pm on Friday, February 23, 2018. The service will be celebrated by Bishop Scott Mayer and Father Doug Thomas.

In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to the organization of your choice.

You may view and sign the guestbook at www.elliotthamilfuneralhomes.com.