Thomas Epton

Visitation:
Friday, February 28, 2003
6:00 PM until 8:00 PM

Wayne Boze Funeral Home
1826 W. Hwy. 287 Bus.
Waxahachie, TX 75165
Service:
Saturday, March 1, 2003
10:00 AM

First Baptist Church
315 N. Rogers
Waxahachie, TX 75165





Thomas Hollis Epton, age 89
January 14, 1914
February 25, 2003

Rev. Epton was born January 14, 1914, in Nashville, Arkansas. He was educated at Southeastern State College, Durant, Oklahoma and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth. Oklahoma Baptist University awarded him a Doctorate of Divinity degree in 1968.

He became an ordained Baptist minister in 1933. Rev. Epton's pastorates included Baptist churches in Pilot Point, Iowa Park, Gainesville, Waxahachie, San Angelo, and Duncan, Oklahoma. He served as chaplain at Bass Baptist Hospital in Enid, Oklahoma from 1973 to 1985.

He was pastor of the First Baptist Church of Waxahachie from 1949 to 1961.

Rev. Epton was known widely for his denominational service. He was a member of many boards in the Baptist General Conventions of Texas and Oklahoma. He served on the Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention from 1965-1971. He also served a term as president of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma and another as president of the Baptist Chaplains Fellowship of Oklahoma.

Over the years, Rev. Epton contributed many articles to various denominational magazines such as The Baptist Standard. A series of sermons appeared in The Pastor's Annual, published by Zondervan. He was the author of Uppermost, a book of poems, and of Epton's Salt and Light Salt, both collections from the over 400 columns he wrote for The Waxahachie Daily Light during the years of his retirement in Waxahachie beginning in 1986.

Rev. Epton was well known for his humor, good will and dedication. When he returned to Waxahachie to retire, he continued to preach for a number of years in churches in the area. He also helped in chaplaincy at the Waxahachie hospital and nursing homes, served as a consultant to various churches, officiated at weddings and funerals, and spoke at many special occasions.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Margaret Pittman Epton; two daughters and their husbands, Nan and Edward Burleson of Waxahachie, and Jan and Carl Seale of McAllen, Texas; seven grandchildren, Lori and Lee Johnson of Ennis, Greg and Carol Burleson of Maypearl, Ame and John Solomon of Los Angeles, Tim Burleson of Waxahachie, Ansen and Doerte' Seale of San Antonio, Erren Seale of McAllen and Avrel and Kirsten Seal of Austin; seven great grandchildren, Brian and Katherine Johnson of Ennis, Luca Seale of San Antonio, April Burleson Cole and Annie Laura Burleson of Maypearl, Andrew Seale of Austin and Sarah Solomon of Los Angeles; and one great great grandson, Cameron Cole of Maypearl; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Leland and Dora Hipp Epton, three brothers, Cecil, Hicks, and T. L. Epton; and three sisters, Lola Bottoms, Christine Hicks and Nora Haynie.

The family will receive friends and relatives 6-8 PM Friday at the Wayne Boze Funeral Home. The Celebration of Life will be 10 AM Saturday, March 1, 2003 at the First Baptist Church, Waxahachie, TX. with Dr. Leroy Fenton officiating. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Burial Park.

The family wishes to thank Rev. Epton's physicians, and especially the staff at Covenant Place and Pleasant Manor for their kindness and care. Memorial gifts may be directed to the Memorial Fund, First Baptist Church, 315 N. Rogers, Waxahachie, TX. 75165 or the Memorial Fund, First Presbyterian Church, P. O. Box 1029, McAllen, TX. 78501.

Arrangements are under the direction of Wayne Boze Funeral Home (972-923-2700).
www.waynebozefuneralhome.com