Micheal Thomas Epperley, 75, of Blacksburg, passed away peacefully Aug. 19, 2024, in the presence of his family and friends at the home he built with his own hands.
He was born March 8, 1949, to the late Luther Thomas and Mary Ruth Epperley. He never traveled far from them as he built his house next door to his parents where he resided his entire life. Though his body was frail and tired, his spirit was full of grateful appreciation to draw another determined breath every second he was graced on earth. He lived on his own terms and was happy to leave when the Lord called him into His eternal care. Up until the end his determined and positive outlook along with his keen sense of humor remained with him.
Mike was a successful business owner, one of the best heavy equipment operators around and an avid outdoorsman. He owned and operated Epperley Excavating and Landscaping for over 40 years. The first 30 years of the business was a family affair as he partnered with his father, Luther. Luther ran the backhoe and Mike ran the track loader and they were a team. After the passing of his father, Mike took over sole ownership and continued what he and his father began many years before. Often people would reference that his office was at the Deli Mart on Main Street. His beige color Chevrolet work truck would be parked in the lot and when you drove by most knew they should stop by because there had to be a great deal of laughs for everyone around. He spent many early mornings and rainy days socializing with other contractors and anyone else that would love to have conversation. He frequently said that he always received jobs from the customers that came by so in essence maybe it was his office after all. Prior to owning and operating his own business he was employed by Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University in the Biochemistry Department.
Mike volunteer coached youth basketball and baseball at Blacksburg Parks and Recreation for over 20 years. He mentored and touched the lives of many young athletes as they came through the program. He was competitive but above all else he was fair. He volunteered and donated countless hours for the youth of Blacksburg and made positive impacts on the many that he coached. In 20-plus years of volunteer coaching, he only received one technical foul and that was given by his oldest son when Mike was coaching his youngest son. That was an interesting weekend to say the least! Mike’s greatest accomplishments was being a father to his two sons and a Poppy to his two grandsons and his new 15-month-old granddaughter. He cherished their sporting events, family gatherings, fishing, hunting trips and watching his granddaughter walk for the first time. Those were the days that made him the happiest and he will leave memories for everyone involved that will last a lifetime.
Besides his parents he was preceded in death by two siblings, Edna Faye Sowers and Donna Mae Price and his nephew, Ricky Vaden. Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 53 years, Charlotte Epperley; his oldest son, Brad Epperley and wife Amy; his youngest son, Brandon Epperley and wife Alisha; his three precious grandchildren, Cole Epperley, Parker Epperley and Azalea Ruth Epperley and his special canine companion Zoey; special aunt and uncle, Kenneth and Shelvie Epperley. Mike had a very fun-loving relationship with his brothers-in-law Jimmy Fisher, Ricky Eppling, Monte Eppling, Jeff Williams and his sisters-in-law Merinda Williams and Susan Sowers along with his many wonderful cousins, nieces and nephews that he loved very much. Our family would like to give a special and loving thank you to his niece Jennifer Vaden for her countless hours helping Mike and the family during his times of struggle.
The family would also like to thank Dr. Isaac Spence and his nurse Kim; Dr. Frank Biscardi and his staff; Good Samaritan Hospice staff with special thanks to Brittany, Connie and Lottie. The family will be touched forever from the memories that Mike and our family have made with special friends Bernard and Ellen Linkous, Calvin Dove, Janice Hodge, Dr. Lucian and Marj Robinson, Donnie and Sharon Cox, Dr. Richard and Laurie Shepherd, the Fenton Family, Norma Spichek and the many other friends that Mike had met through business, sports and family friends.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Blacksburg Christian Church, 240 Watson Ave., Blacksburg, VA 24060 and Gateway Baptist Church, 2196 Harding Rd, Blacksburg, VA 24060.
Funeral services were conducted Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 at 11 a.m. in the McCoy Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Gary McCoy officiating. Interment followed in the Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Christiansburg.
