Ralph Isaac Epps Jr, November 27, 1950 — March 16, 2019

Ralph’s Obituary Ralph Isaac Epps, Jr. (“Ikie”, “Ike”, “Isaac”), 68, of Durham, NC, died Saturday, March 16, 2019. He was born on November 27, 1950, at Duke Hospital, the only son of Rev. Ralph and Mrs. Pat Epps, who predeceased him.

He is survived by his son David Epps of Atlanta, GA, his daughter Elizabeth Epps of Cary, NC, his sisters Barbara Tuttle of Richmond, VA, and Karen Owens of Raleigh, NC, many loving extended family members, and a host of friends. As a Methodist parsonage child, Isaac grew up in eastern North Carolina, living in Stem, Maxton, Laurel Hill, Grifton, Weldon, and Fairmont, where he graduated from high school. He earned a BA in history and journalism from ECU in 1973.

With no formal music education, but with an obvious gift, he became a professional singer, keyboardist, guitarist, and percussionist, performing live in Florida, California, Hawaii, and North Carolina as a soloist, with various groups, and as a studio musician featured on several albums. He especially enjoyed performing as a soloist in retirement homes and schools. As the son of a 17th Airborne Division veteran, Isaac was a charter member of the 17th Airborne Division Scions, a non-profit organization founded to keep the history of the division alive and to support the surviving WWII veterans.

Isaac found real joy in calling “his veterans”, who always appreciated hearing from him. Everywhere Isaac went, he made friends, and he loved to make people smile. His sense of fun and witty remarks as the emcee of the Scions reunions will never be forgotten.

Services will be held on Saturday, April 6, in Edenton, NC, beginning at the graveside in Beaver Hill Cemetery, 420 Martin Luther King Ave. , at 1:30 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life at Edenton UMC, 225 Virginia Road, at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Open Table Ministry, 215 N. Church St., Durham, NC, 27701, or Memorial Fund, 17th Airborne Division Scions, 62 Forty Acre Mountain Rd. , Danbury, CT, 06811.

Miller Funeral Home & Crematory, 735 Virginia Road, Edenton, is assisting the family with arrangements, and online condolences may be made by visiting www. millerfhc.com.

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