EPPARD, Clarence Richard 1917-2014

EPPARD, ELLISON, BEENEY, BROKAW

Posted By: COUNTY COORDINATOR
Date: 1/6/2014 at 22:28:33

Clarence "Clancy" Eppard

Birth: February 15, 1917
Death: January 5, 2014

Service Date: Saturday, January 11, 2014 at 2:00 P.M., at First Baptist Church

Clarence Richard Eppard joined his Lord and Savior on January 5, 2014 at the age of ninety-six in Roseville, Minnesota. A homecoming celebration will be held in honor of Clancy on Saturday, January 11, 2014 at 2:00 PM at the First Baptist Church of Charles City officiated by Pastor Ruth Yeaton with visitation one hour preceding the service. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery at Charles City.

"Clancy" Eppard was the youngest of three children born to Rev. Clarence Monroe and Lenora Ellison Beeney Eppard in Des Moines, Iowa on February 15, 1917. Following the death of his mother when he was a few days old, Clancy was raised by his maternal aunt and uncle, Jesse and Lydia Leeper, until age twelve when his father remarried. He was then adopted by his step-mother, Eva June Brokaw. After graduating from Clarinda High School in 1935, Clancy graduated from Drake University in 1939 and took additional training at Iowa State Teacher's College. Education was an important to Clancy, and his life was a continuous quest for knowledge even after he completed his traditional education.

Clancy began a teaching career at Hayes Consolidated School near Storm Lake, Iowa, where he met his future wife, Violette Eileen Nasby. The couple was united in marriage on June 29, 1941, at Calvary Baptist Church in Cedar Falls, Iowa, in a double wedding with Vi's sister and her husband, Dr. Philip and Gladyce Nasby Sorenson. They relocated to Marshalltown, Iowa, where Clancy sold New York Life Insurance for a year before he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps in 1942.

Clancy was trained at the University of Chicago to become a meteorologist. He was stationed in England as a weather officer with responsibilities for opening and over-seeing the weather stations at three bases at Old Buckinham, Halesworth, and Tibenan. Following his return to the United States, Clancy was stationed in Deming, New Mexico and El Paso, Texas until his discharge in 1946. Clancy and Vi settled in Charles City in 1946 where he obtained employment for the next thirty-eight years with Salsbury Laboratories in production control and purchasing.

Following his "retirement", Clancy worked on a part-time basis for the First Baptist Church, HyVee, and Hauser Funeral Home.

Clancy could best be described as intelligent, humble, and understated with a subtle but great sense of humor. He was thought of as a man of integrity with a strong sense of commitment. His was a deeply meaningful life where he embraced each day to the fullest and was committed to all that he did, including but not limited to his faith, his family, his work, his church, his community, and his many activities. There was no one more dedicated to his wife during the many years she suffered from Parkinson's Disease.

Clancy gave of his time and talents to organizations that reflected his values. He is known for his strong faith in his Lord and Savior and was an example to many. Clancy was a member of the First Baptist Church, where he directed the Choir for many years, was a member of the Praise and Worship Team, served as Senior Outreach Minister, was active in the American Baptist Men, and a variety of other committees.

He held many leadership positions in the Iowa American Baptist Men and with the Mid-American Baptist Conference. Clancy also was an active member of the Charles City Gideon Camp where he shared his testimony with others by speaking at churches and passing out Bibles at schools and universities throughout the state.

Clancy served on the City Council and the Charles City YMCA Board of Directors, devoted many years to the American Cancer Society, the Republican Party, was a committee member and leader of Boy Scout Troop 87, and loved singing with the Charles City Singers for over thirty years. Clancy's commitment and service to others resulted in the receipt of many awards, three of which included The Silver Beaver, The Good Neighbor Award, and Man of the Year.

He loved to learn about the world that surrounded him, traveled extensively, was an avid reader, enjoyed attending concerts, woodworking, and gardening in addition to spending time with his family.

Clancy relocated to Minnesota in 2008 to be closer to his family. Despite the challenges of declining health, he continued to be an inspiration to many at his assisted living facility and later at the health care center where he resided.

Clancy was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Trewa "Evelyn" Mausert and Marjorie Hughes, and his wife, Vi, in 1996. He is survived by his children, Sharon K. Oswalt of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, Richard A. Eppard (Joanne) of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, four grandchildren, Sarah E. Young (Ed) of Maple Grove, Minnesota, Alissa Eppard of Fargo, North Dakota, Clayton "CR" Eppard of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Nicholas Eppard of Denver, Colorado, a great-grandson, Zachary Young, and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the First Baptist Church of Charles City or Iowa Gideons International.

Source: Hauser Funeral Home website, 6 JAN 2014

See also: Charles City Press