Thomas J. Epperson

Thomas James "Tom" Epperson of Shreveport, Louisiana passed away peacefully February 13, 2020, at the age of 83. Funeral Services will be held at Rose-Neath South Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Dr, Shreveport LA 71118, on Wednesday, February 19, 2020. Visitation will be from 1:00PM - 2:00PM. Services will follow at 2:00PM at the Rose-Neath Chapel. Officiating will be Dr. Carl Rhoads from First United Methodist Church, Shreveport. Graveside services will be held on Friday, February 21, 11:00AM at the Coop Prairie Cemetery in Mansfield Arkansas. Tom was born October 8, 1936, to Leonard and Allie Epperson of Mansfield, Arkansas, where he lived throughout high school. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in electrical engineering from the University of Arkansas in 1958. He also attended the University of Michigan School of Business in Public Utility Management, graduated from the US Army Command and General Staff College in Kansas, and the US Air Force Air War College in Alabama. He was a registered professional engineer in the states of Arkansas, Texas, and Louisiana. He belonged to the Arkansas Academy of Electrical Engineers and served as research director in the Electric Power Research Institute. He served for 20 years on the Louisiana Tech University Electrical Engineering/Technology Industrial Advisory Board from 1987 - 2008. Tom contributed to the utility business for over 52 years. He was a long-time employee of Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO). He started his career with SWEPCO as distribution engineer in Fayetteville, Arkansas in 1960. In Shreveport he served SWEPCO as Manager of Distribution Engineering and Operations, Director of Administrative Services, Manager of the Work 2000 work management project in Dallas, and Director of Business Ventures. He then became president of VEMCO, a utility company in Natchitoches, working for SWEPCO again when VEMCO was purchased by SWEPCO. Tom retired from SWEPCO in June 2012. In 1970 he was selected as a charter member of the Arkansas Electrical Engineer's Academy. Tom served his country for over30 years. His last assignment having been commander of the 4013th US Army Garrison, Bossier City, Louisiana. He was past president of the Louisiana State Reserve Officers Association Tom was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Shreveport for over 50 years. He loved Jesus and his family, especially his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father Leonard Epperson, his mother Allie Wade Epperson, sisters Betty Price, Relda Blythe, and Mary Jane Greene. He is survived by his partner of 40 years, Evelyne Epperson, his children Andrew Epperson (Tonia), Matthew Epperson (Marge), Karen Epperson Winters (Thomas), Ralph Carey; his grandchildren Ashley Epperson, Kody Lavoire(Wesley), Ben Epperson, Aaron Carey (Heavenly), Brody Epperson (Angelica), Christopher Carey, Tyler Carey, and several great-grandchildren. The family wants to thank care takers at Colonial Pines Healthcare Center in St Augustine TX and Guest House Rehabilitation Center in Shreveport for caring for their loved one. In lieu of flowers, you may make donations to First United Methodist Church, 500 Common St, Shreveport, LA or to VFW Post 4588, 1004 Jeter Street, Bossier City, LA.