Carl Epps passed away on Dec. 22, 2010, at his home in Odessa, Texas.
Carl was born to Lester and Hattie Epps on Oct. 16, 1928, at Goodhope, near Ava, Mo. He was the third of eight children. He was preceded in death by two sisters; three brothers; a grandson, Roger Alan Lee, of Ulysses, Kan.; and a great-granddaughter, Alyssa Olson, of Monahans, Texas.
Carl grew up in Douglas County and graduated from Ava High School in 1947. In 1950 he moved to southwestern Kansas to work as a farmer. While in Kansas he met his soul mate, Marjorie King, who became his wife and lifelong companion. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last July.
Carl joined the Army in 1951 where he served in Germany during the Korean conflict. After returning from Germany, Carl and Marjorie had four children, Ellen Russell, of Comanche, Okla., Melanie Lee, of Ulysses, Kan., Lillian Clement, of Odessa, Texas, and Roy Epps, of Phoenix, Ariz. They have 10 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
Carl is also survived by two sisters, Betty Moore, Ava, and Thelma Barker, of Kansas City.
Carl farmed in southwest Kansas for many years. He started working for Cities Service Gas Company later. Carl worked for Cities Service for 19 years before retiring in 1981. During his retirement they traveled around the country with a 5th-wheel trailer and then spent extended lengths of time in the Big Bend country of West Texas, and finally residing in Odessa, Texas.
Carl and Marjorie are members of Vine Baptist Church of Odessa, Texas. A memorial service will be held after the holidays.
Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home, Odessa, Texas.
