Gary Leroy Epperly

Gary Leroy Epperly passed away at home in San Rafael on July 7th, 2024 at age 83. Gary is survived by his wife Barbara, his son Daren, his daughter Pamela Harrell (Roger) and grandchildren, Caitlyn and Logan Harrell.

The second youngest of nine, Gary was a Valentine baby, born in Oklahoma on February 14th, 1941. When he was about 2 years old, his parents George and Mary Ella moved the family to San Francisco. He grew up in Hunter's Point where his entrepreneurial spirit was born when he routinely waited outside markets with his wheelbarrow and offered to bring shopper's groceries home for money. Gary was a self-described "punk" until he met Barbara Falconer at Mission High School. Apparently, Barb wouldn't bat an eye in his direction until he cleaned up his act, and by doing so, Barbara finally agreed to date him. Gary graduated highschool in 1958 and seeing a future with Barbara, he attended Cogswell College, earning a degree in Structural Engineering. Soon after, with the desire to help people and improve his community, Gary switched gears and decided to join the police force, attending police academy in early 1962, officially entering the San Francisco Police Department on October 1st. Eventually marrying in December of 1963 and settling down in their first home on Colby St., Gary and Barbara's newlywed bliss was interrupted by the growing conflict in the Vietnam War, prompting Gary to enlist in the United States Marine Corp in Spring of 1964. He served on a reserve unit in Alameda for the following 5 years, ultimately retiring as an E5, or Sergeant. After graduating USMC boot camp, Gary happily returned to the SFPD where, over the next several years he held assignments and details in the Mission, Northern, Richmond and Taraval District police stations, working inside the city prison and serving as a patrol officer.

In 1968, Gary and Barbara welcomed their first child, Daren, and desiring to raise children outside of "the concrete jungle", in 1969, the family of three moved just north of the big city, to a lovely community in Terra Linda of Marin County, where they remained for the last 55 years. Just a few years later, in 1972, the couple welcomed their daughter Pamela.

During his 30 years on the force, Gary also detailed in crime prevention, the solo motorcycle unit, the helicopter unit, robbery detail and the Chief's Office. For more than 3 years, Gary participated in the Police Youth Program, mentoring students interested in police work. His excellent work ethic combined with being instrumental in the formation of special events such as the police department's Christmas party at Shriner's Hospital and local events celebrating National Police Week led to his promotion to Sergeant in 1980. After his promotion, he served as the special assistant to Chief Con Murphy and was nominated to attend the FBI National Academy at Quantico, Virginia, graduating in 1983. Upon his return, he was heavily involved in the Special Details Unit which only served to highlight his superior skills regarding security provision. He was later recognized throughout the state for his liaison work with the motion picture industry, and for several years he was lead liason for the Blue Angels security detail during the city's annual Fleet Week. He continued to serve as special assistant to the Chief of Police with Frank Jordan. These extraordinary experiences and efforts solidified his reputation within the VIP security field which led to his promotion to Lieutenant in 1991. In August of 1992, he retired from the SFPD but transitioned to serving in the Mayor's Office of the City and County of San Francisco for the next 4 years. During this time, he established Epperly & Associates, a business designed to partner with others in continuing dignitary protection of VIPs through private contracts. In the fall of 2008, after a prolific career full of many accomplishments, Gary decided to fully retire, desiring to spend more time with his family.

Gary loved many things, his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ being first and foremost, which he exemplified through his honesty, integrity and generosity. He was a true family man, a loving husband and devoted father, attending soccer games, ballet recitals and band concerts. He cherished his time with the community serving as the starter for the Terra Linda Orca swim team for many years. He loved participating in the annual Mother/Daughter Banquets that his church would put together for the ladies, always dressing up in ridiculous outfits that somehow related to the year's theme. He was passionate about making wonderful memories through family vacations, including his favorite type, cruises. He loved experiencing life in the outdoors, where you could find him riding on his Harley Davidson Road King, cruising the coastline with Barbara in a convertible, or pulling many victims on skis or tubes behind his boat. He loved camping, especially at Burney Falls where his competitive spirit would show when he tried to be the first to spot a bald eagle on and around Lake Briton. He also treasured his biannual trips to Camp Wilson, the beautiful property of life-long friends, where he'd spend the weekend playing Pedro, or participating in heated political arguments around the campfire, or helping maintain the massive property by driving the tractor to move large felled trees. Through all of this, Gary's sense of humor was unmatched and he knew how to lighten the mood at any gathering. Gary's commitment and dedication to his family was immeasurable. He continued showing his vast love to his grandchildren by planning frequent play-dates, a favorite was taking them to the Gnoss Field Airport to sit on the roof of the hanger that housed his plane, eating pb&j sandwiches while watching the planes take off and land.

Those of us who knew Gary and were touched and inspired by his humility and generous spirit, his deep love and provision for family and friends, his unwavering belief and devotion to God, his extravagant gift-giving, and his humor-infused lifestyle will treasure the time we had with him, and we will remember him always, keeping his memory alive in our hearts.

A celebration of Gary's life will be held at Marin Covenant Church, 195 N. Redwood Dr. in San Rafael on Saturday, October 26th, 2024 at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Shriner's Hospitals for Children.