Don Epperson
Don Epperson 83, of Breckenridge passed away December 7, 2019, surrounded by the family he dearly loved. Services will be held Thursday, December 12, 2019, at 10 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church with Matt Hall and Cal Hoffman officiating. The family will welcome friends on Wednesday, December 11, 2019, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Melton Kitchens Funeral Home. Burial will follow the service under the direction of Melton Kitchens Funeral Home at the Gatesville Cemetery.
Donald Ivey Epperson was born March 27, 1936, in Gatesville, Texas, to Ivey Jessie Epperson and Gertrude Kelly. He grew up and was raised in the Gatesville area most of his young life. Don graduated from the Gatesville High School and wanted to pursue a career in “cuttin hair.” It was after Barber College, he was supposed to go on a date with a special young lady. The day of the date, his date had to cancel due to her work schedule. Luckily the date had a twin sister, and she offered to step in and go on the date with Don. That night Don and Dixie Morie had their first of many dates, and the rest was history. They both fell in love with each other. They married January 20, 1957, and spent an amazing lifetime together until Dixie’s passing. Don did succeed in his career endeavors and became a Barber. He started right out of barber school in 1956 at John’s Barbershop, now known as Don’s Barbershop. The barber shop was run in Breckenridge serving his clients since 1956. Just last Thursday he cut his last client’s hair.
Don was known for his many quotes and old sayings that were positive every time you crossed his path. One of the quotes he would share at the shop was, “Slim’s the name, trim’s the game.” Another one was, “I used to be pretty good but most of the pretty has worn off, now I am just good.” Don was a faithful breakfast customer — up until Buckaroo Bakery closed he was in there as soon as the doors opened. They always knew what he wanted and had it ready for him; occasionally he would throw them a curve ball and ask for a cinnamon twist. If he didn’t show up for a few days, the bakery would be calling to check on him. Then, up until his passing he went to Pam’s Café every morning for breakfast and for lunch. While having a meal there, he always wanted to cut up and make folks laugh. Pam and Bud were good to him, and he thought highly of them.
Some of the many hobbies Don enjoyed in his lifetime — gardening, and he loved to quilt, not something many people outside the family knew. He raised and trained bird dogs, raised exotic animals in the barn back behind his home. Some of the exotics were pheasants, Japanese quail, rabbits, and raced homing pigeons. Don loved fishing. He loved building recurve, long bows and guns stocks. Don was very good at wood working and was an accomplished target shooter. He won a contest by hitting the bullseye multiple times on one target from 500 yards away. Don was also an accomplished tournament archery shooter. He also taught his grandkids to shoot and took them to tournaments. One of the many joys in his life was that he made all of his kids and grandkids a handmade quilt. Don was also a 20-year member of the Breckenridge Elks Lodge.
A big highlight in his life was on December 24, 2014, when Don gave his life over to Christ and was baptized at the rip ole age of 78. Don was a faithful member at First United Methodist Church in Breckenridge.
He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Dixie Morie.
Don is survived by daughter, Linda Venekamp and husband Joey of Breckenridge, son, Donnie Epperson of Woodson; brother, Kenneth Epperson of Eastland; grandkids, Rachel Buse husband Kyle of Woodson, Amanda Jackson of Abilene, Kaitlyn Copeland and husband Derek of Abilene, and Eric Venekamp and girlfriend Emma Cyrus of Breckenridge; great-grandkids, Kiersten “KiKi”, Landon Buse and Declin Copeland.
The family has requested in lieu of flowers that memorials be made to the following local charities: Café Love, Meals on Wheels and Feed the Lambs, and memorials can be left at the funeral home office.
Condolences may be made online at www.meltonkitchens.com.
