DAN EPPERSON
May 22, 1943–July 13, 2024
Dan Epperson, 81, of Newcastle, Wyoming, peacefully passed away surrounded by family on July 13, 2024, at Weston County Health Services.
Born on May 22, 1943, in Fairbury, Illinois, Dan lived a full life of love, laughter, and many adventures. A 1961 graduate of Gordon High School, Gordon, Nebraska, Dan married his high school sweetheart, Vanita Saxton, on Dec. 15, 1962.
Dan was always on the search for knowledge, and found that he enjoyed the wide range of skills he obtained by job jumping in different career fields. He was an avid hunter and shooting sport enthusiast, especially muzzleloaders and black powder cartridge firearms. He helped establish several shooting organizations: Muzzleloaders of the Black Hills, Tubb Town Muzzleloaders, Wyoming State Muzzleloading Association and the Weston County Sportsman’s Club. He was a life-long member of the National Rifle Association and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
Dan was also active in the community: he was a member of the United States Jaycees; was executive director of the Weston County Economic Development Board; served a one-year term as international president of the CANAM International Highway Association; and was instrumental in founding, developing, and securing funding for the Cambria Improvement and Service District.
Dan is survived by his wife, Vanita; daughters, Tami (Bob) Thaler of Newcastle, Danita Stanton of Grand Island, Nebraska; son, Richard Epperson of Newcastle; brother, Gary (Doris) Epperson of Rockport, Texas; four grandchildren, Jeralynn (Brian) Moser of Mason City, Nebraska, Jake Thaler of Laramie, Wyoming, Brittney (Jimmy) Thyarks of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Hope Stanton of Shelton, Nebraska; great-grandchildren, Kaia, Adelaide, Emerson, Colby and Mo; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, in-laws, and friends.
Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Dick and Frances Epperson; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Hugh and Hope Saxton.
Services will be held July 19 at First United Methodist Church in Newcastle. Viewing will be at 10 a.m. and service at 11 a.m., with lunch following in the fellowship hall. A graveside service will be held at the cemetery in Gordon on July 20 at 9 a.m. with a gathering at the Presbyterian Church following.
To honor Dan, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to local libraries, Upton Young Guns, or the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
Condolences may be sent to the family in care of Meridian Mortuary, 111 S. Railway Ave., Newcastle, WY, 82701 or expressions of sympathy may also be made online at meridianmortuary.com.