Eppaminondas George Johnson, or “Eppie” Johnson, passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 16, 2013. Eppie was born in Astoria, New York, on May 7, 1928, to George E. Johnson and Fotini Mousmoules. Eppie moved West to attend college at the University of Nevada, Reno, graduating in 1951. While in college, Eppie enrolled in ROTC, and served his country in the US Army upon graduation. After his discharge, Eppie went to work for his father in the restaurant business in Sacramento, California.
Eppie opened his first restaurant of his own in 1964, at 30th & N Streets in Sacramento, known as, “Eppie’s.” The well known, “Eppie’s” Restaurants grew into a highly-popular chain of coffee shops. Eppie also opened fine-dining dinner houses in multiple cities known as, “Eppaminondas.” And as he was an avid sportsman, Eppie also owned health and tennis clubs including, the “Tennis South” in South Land Park, and “The Tennis Club” in Davis, California.
Always very active in his professional and community organizations, Eppie was a past president of the California Restaurant Association, as well as served on many boards and committees. In fact, the California Restaurant Association presented him with their highest honor, CRA’s, “Lifetime Achievement Award,” in 2005. Dedicated to his Greek heritage, Johnson received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor presented by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations as well as his faith’s highest honor in Christendon with an installation to the high office of Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
However, Eppie considered his greatest achievement to be his philanthropic and service work was giving back to the community. In 1974, he founded a unique and fun event known as, “Eppie’s Great Race” – “The World’s Oldest Triathlon – that has since become a signature, annual event for the Sacramento region. “Eppie’s Great Race” is a triathlon consisting of running, biking and kayaking, on the American River Parkway. The race celebrated 40 years last July, and has raised over $1 million for the Therapeutic Recreation Services, a program that benefits Sacramento County’s mentally and physically challenged.
Eppie is preceded in death by his sister Paula Alexander. He is survived by his two children: daughter Lisa Johnson Mangels and husband Ben, their children Alex and Claire, of Lafayette, CA; and son George E. Johnson II, his wife Molly Tarrant Johnson and their children Athena and Epaminondas G. II of Sacramento, Ca.
Traditional Greek Orthodox services will include: Trisaigon Monday Sept 23, 7 PM, Funeral service Tuesday Sept 24, 10 AM. All services to be held at the Greek Church of the Annunciation, 600 Alhambra Blvd. Sacramento, CA.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to: The Eppie’s Great Race Foundation, 111 Howe Ave Ste. 140, Sacramento, CA 95825. For more information, please check: www.EppiesGreatRace.org.
Arrangements in the care of Nicoletti, Culjis & Herberger Funeral Home: 5401 Folsom Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95819.
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