Howard "Mitch" Epps

Howard Mitchell "Mitch" Epps was called home to be with The Lord on Monday, December 23, 2013. Mitch is preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Frances Gaskins Epps. Frances was also called home to be with The Lord on August 13, 2013 and was buried on their 67th wedding anniversary. He is survived by two sons Barry (B J) of St. Amant, LA and Danny (Carol) of Pearl, MS; a brother Joe (Mary) of Fort Worth, TX; grandchildren, David M. Epps and wife Melanie, Scott M. Epps and wife Bridgett, Jeremy M. Epps and wife Nicole, Camile Morgan and husband Chip, Raymond J. Epps, Franklin M. Epps; eight great-grandchildren, Jacob, Brooke, Emily, and John David Epps, Brittany and Stephanie Epps, Abigail and Elizabeth Morgan.

Mitch is a graduate of SMU with a degree in mechanical engineering; and also a graduate from LSU's Mid-South Executive Development Program. He is a Registered Professional Engineer. He worked for the Texas & Pacific Railroad for 12 years; for the American Cyanamid Company for 13 years; and for CF Industries for 25 years, retiring as General Manager of the Louisiana Region for CF Industries. He served in the Navy during World War II. Mitch and Frances were faithful members of First United Methodist Church in Gonzales. He was also a member of Post 81 of the American Legion in Gonzales.

Mitch served on the Board of Directors of Riverview Medical Center in Gonzales (now St. Elizabeth's); on the Board of Directors of the Baton Rouge United Way; as past president of the Louisiana Ammonia Producers Association; was a founding member of the Gulf Coast Ammonia Producers Association; and he served on the Ammonia Safety Committee of the American Society of Chemical Engineers for 15 years. He and Frances were also long-time members of the Cruisin' Cajuns, Arkansas Travelers, and Les Ami Cajun motor home clubs. Mitch was also a founding member of the “Sandbaggers”, a public interest group of engineers and public figures who worked for over 30 years to get flood control structures built in Ascension Parish.

There will be a visitation at Ourso Funeral Home in Gonzales, Sunday, December 29, 2013 from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Visitation will resume Monday, December 30, 2013, at First United Methodist Church in Gonzales from 10:00 a.m. until religious services at 11:00 a.m. conducted by Rev. Mark Goins. Entombment will follow in Greenoaks Memorial Park Mausoleum in Baton Rouge. Pallbearers will be his grandchildren and close friends. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.oursofh.com.