John Lloyd Epler Jr.

John was born on the 21st of November 1932, in Toledo, Ohio. An Eagle Scout, he graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1954 and was a member of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity. After graduation, he served his country in the U.S. Army while stationed in White Sands, New Mexico.

During the fifties, John moved to Houston to join his father in the oil and gas business. He earned his master's degree in business administration from the University of Houston in 1956. In 1960, John began his rich and varied thirty-year career with Union Texas Petroleum, loyally serving his company in many financially-oriented assignments, including Corporate Controller. His work ethic was well known and respected amongst his peers.

John was a member of Financial Executives International, St. Francis Episcopal Church and the University Club. He enjoyed running, golfing, fishing on the coast, fly fishing on the Guadalupe, and hunting in the Hill Country and South Texas…in all of which he took great pleasure during retirement.

John was a blessing, and will be missed by all who knew him. He was the beloved husband of over forty-five years to Ann Ellen Armstrong Epler; loving father to Alan and Melissa Epler of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Kenneth and Elizabeth Jones of Houston. He especially adored all his grandchildren: Austin and Allison Epler, and Jack Jones. John was preceded in death by his sister, the late Gloria Epler Manard.

The Epler family desires to express their sincere thanks to John's wonderful caregivers for their devoted care and affection. They also express their deep gratitude to Houston Hospice and Caring Professionals.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o'clock in the afternoon until eight o'clock in the evening on Friday, the 22nd of March, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

The funeral service, in celebration of John's life, is to be conducted at half-past ten o'clock in the morning on Saturday, the 23rd of March, at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 345 Piney Point Road in Houston, where the Rev. Richard H. Elwood, Assisting Priest for Pastoral Care, and the Rev. Murray R. Powell, Priest Assistant at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, are to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception at a venue to be announced at the service.

At a later time, the family is to gather for a private inurnment service at Glenwood Cemetery in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that contributions in John's memory be directed to the Coastal Conservation Association, 6919 Portwest Dr., Suite 100, Houston, TX, 77024; or to the charity of one's choice.