Frank Everett Epperson

Frank E. Epperson passed away on December 9, 2016 in Denver, Colorado at the age of 94. He was born on October 10, 1922 in Lamar, Colorado to Clifford and Vernie Epperson. His family moved to Denver when he was a young boy. In 1941, he graduated from West High School in Denver, Colorado.

Frank enlisted in the US Army Air Corps as an Aviation Cadet in 1942. He was commissioned in the Army Air Corps as a Fighter Pilot in 1943. From 1944 to 1945, he was assigned to the 75th Fighter Squadron (Flying Tigers) in the China, Burma, and India Theatre. In China, Frank piloted P39 and P51 planes on 14 combat missions. He also flew “over the hump” twice to ferry P51 planes from India to China over the Himalaya Mountains.

After the war, Frank attended college at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. In June 1949, Frank married Margaret Colleen Kahoa (“Kay”). In 1953, Frank graduated from dental school, and the couple moved to Denver, Colorado. There he entered private dental practice and the couple raised their three daughters. In 1982, he retired from the Army Reserve as a Colonel commanding the dental department of the 5502 USA Hospital Reserve at Fitzsimmons (Aurora, Colorado) and was awarded the Legion of Merit. In 1985, he retired from his private dental practice. In his retirement, Frank became an inventor and was awarded several patents for fishing reels and safe dental syringes.

Frank’s wife Kay passed away in 1985. He was also predeceased by his parents, Clifford Epperson, Sr. and Vernie June Everett Epperson, his brother Clifford Epperson, Jr., and his sister June Powers. Frank is survived by his sister Doris Crowe of Grand Junction and his brother Gale Epperson of Lakewood and their families. Frank is also survived by his daughters Susan Ohnemus (Ron) of Ventura, California; Sally Almeria (Tex) of Aurora, Colorado; and Lynne Daves (John) of San Tan Valley, Arizona; six grandchildren (Heather Voyson, Christy Woodhams, Andrea Convey, Kayley Korn, Julie Almeria, and Ryan Allhands); and 10 great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, December 16 at 10am at Olinger Hampden Mortuary in Denver. Frank will be laid to rest with is wife at Fort Logan National Cemetery the same day.

The family would like to express sincere appreciation to Holly Heights Care Center and The Denver Hospice for their outstanding and loving care.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Frank's honor to the charity of you choice.