HATTERAS — Michael Ralph Epping, 65 of Hatteras, NC and Charlevoix, MI, formerly of Oklahoma City, went to be with our Lord, Jesus Christ on Friday, January 8, 2021. He was born in Levico, Italy to Otto and Christine Epping of Augsburg, Germany. He traveled the world with his parents doing museum collecting, living in Italy, Germany, Turkey, Crete, and Mexico before coming to Pittsburgh, PA when he was 8, where they were employed by Carnegie Museum and became US citizens. He was a graduate of Butler, PA High School and completed a Bachelors degree in Geology from Penn State University, State College, PA.
He was a NC Licensed General Contractor and owner of TIDE Construction, Inc. He was a member of the Hatteras Marlin Club, a lifetime member of the NRA, a member of the Oklahoma City Sheriff’s Department Mounted Patrol and member of the United States Marshal’s Posse. He loved serving the community and working with the horses with the Sheriffs and Marshals and on our ranch in Oklahoma City, OK He also had a private pilot’s license.
Michael is survived by his wife, Marylin Epping, daughter, Jessica Epping Perry and husband Kyle Perry of Frisco, NC and Charlevoix, MI, son, Mike Epping, Jr, and wife Kristi Epping of Petoskey, MI and four precious grandsons, Luke and Jake Epping and Bodey and Kyler Perry, mother, Christine Epping of Winchester, VA and sister Heike Epping of Winchester, VA. He is also survived by his loving companions who were with him all the time, Bella, our golden retriever and Maya, our Cavalier King Charles spaniel. He was preceded in death by his father, Otto M. Epping. A Celebration of Life will be planned for Hatteras Island once Covid restrictions are removed in the spring.
Arrangements are by Mortenson Funeral Homes and Crematory. Condolences to the family may be sent to Mortenson Funeral Homes. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office – Fraternal Order of Police – 155 c/o OCSO Mounted Patrol, P.O. Box 2923, Oklahoma City, OK 73101 or the Charlevoix County Sheriff’s Office, 1000 Grant Street, Charlevoix, Michigan 49720.
