John Epperly, 85, passed away peacefully on January 7th 2023, at his home in Fairfax, VA. Born in Washington, DC to Moyer and Mildred Keys Epperly, John was raised in Norfolk, VA. He is survived by Carol, his wife of 61 years, daughter, Lynne and husband Mark Vasiliadis of Reston, VA, son, John and wife Erika of Battle Ground WA and four grandchildren, Alexa, Austin, Annika and Katelyn. John's brother, James Epperly of Avondale, AZ, and sister, Joy Rangel of Clifton, VA also survive.
While growing up in Norfolk, John attended Granby High School, and became a member of the wrestling team under renowned coach, Billy Martin. Following high school John received his BS in Education from Lock Haven University and his MS from Virginia Tech. He began his teaching career in Arlington, VA, and shortly became the wrestling coach at Wakefield High School. During his years at Wakefield, his teams won several tournaments and had multiple individual champions. After moving to Fairfax County in 1969, he coached for one year at Oakton High School. In 1970 he became part of the inaugural staff of the newly built Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax. During his tenure as head coach at Robinson, his teams won multiple district and regional tournaments as well as three state tournaments. Members of these teams also won many individual district, regional and state titles. He was twice named as The Washington Post All-Met Wrestling Coach of the Year, and three times named Virginia High School League Wrestling Coach of the year. He retired from coaching in 1991 with an overall win-loss record of 308-38-3.
His successful coaching career was honored by his induction into the Robinson Secondary School Hall of Fame, The Lock Haven University Wrestling Hall of Fame, and the Virginia High School League Hall of Fame. He has also been recognized by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for his achievements.
Many of his wrestlers will remember John's love of his Rottweilers. For many years, he enjoyed showing his dogs in obedience at AKC sanctioned dog shows. In 1974 his beloved "Helsa" was the top scoring obedience Rottweiler in the country. John was also an amateur genealogist and was proud of his ancestral heritage. He was a member of several lineage societies, including the Sons of the American Revolution.
At his request, there will be a graveside service for family and a Celebration of Life at a later date.
While growing up in Norfolk, John attended Granby High School, and became a member of the wrestling team under renowned coach, Billy Martin. Following high school John received his BS in Education from Lock Haven University and his MS from Virginia Tech. He began his teaching career in Arlington, VA, and shortly became the wrestling coach at Wakefield High School. During his years at Wakefield, his teams won several tournaments and had multiple individual champions. After moving to Fairfax County in 1969, he coached for one year at Oakton High School. In 1970 he became part of the inaugural staff of the newly built Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax. During his tenure as head coach at Robinson, his teams won multiple district and regional tournaments as well as three state tournaments. Members of these teams also won many individual district, regional and state titles. He was twice named as The Washington Post All-Met Wrestling Coach of the Year, and three times named Virginia High School League Wrestling Coach of the year. He retired from coaching in 1991 with an overall win-loss record of 308-38-3.
His successful coaching career was honored by his induction into the Robinson Secondary School Hall of Fame, The Lock Haven University Wrestling Hall of Fame, and the Virginia High School League Hall of Fame. He has also been recognized by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for his achievements.
Many of his wrestlers will remember John's love of his Rottweilers. For many years, he enjoyed showing his dogs in obedience at AKC sanctioned dog shows. In 1974 his beloved "Helsa" was the top scoring obedience Rottweiler in the country. John was also an amateur genealogist and was proud of his ancestral heritage. He was a member of several lineage societies, including the Sons of the American Revolution.
At his request, there will be a graveside service for family and a Celebration of Life at a later date.
John Epperly, 85, passed away peacefully on January 7th 2023, at his home in Fairfax, VA. Born in Washington, DC to Moyer and Mildred Keys Epperly, John was raised in Norfolk, VA. He is survived by Carol, his wife of 61 years, daughter, Lynne and husband Mark Vasiliadis of Reston, VA, son, John and wife Erika of Battle Ground WA and four grandchildren, Alexa, Austin, Annika and Katelyn. John's brother, James Epperly of Avondale, AZ, and sister, Joy Rangel of Clifton, VA also survive.
While growing up in Norfolk, John attended Granby High School, and became a member of the wrestling team under renowned coach, Billy Martin. Following high school John received his BS in Education from Lock Haven University and his MS from Virginia Tech. He began his teaching career in Arlington, VA, and shortly became the wrestling coach at Wakefield High School. During his years at Wakefield, his teams won several tournaments and had multiple individual champions. After moving to Fairfax County in 1969, he coached for one year at Oakton High School. In 1970 he became part of the inaugural staff of the newly built Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax. During his tenure as head coach at Robinson, his teams won multiple district and regional tournaments as well as three state tournaments. Members of these teams also won many individual district, regional and state titles. He was twice named as The Washington Post All-Met Wrestling Coach of the Year, and three times named Virginia High School League Wrestling Coach of the year. He retired from coaching in 1991 with an overall win-loss record of 308-38-3.
His successful coaching career was honored by his induction into the Robinson Secondary School Hall of Fame, The Lock Haven University Wrestling Hall of Fame, and the Virginia High School League Hall of Fame. He has also been recognized by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for his achievements.
Many of his wrestlers will remember John's love of his Rottweilers. For many years, he enjoyed showing his dogs in obedience at AKC sanctioned dog shows. In 1974 his beloved "Helsa" was the top scoring obedience Rottweiler in the country. John was also an amateur genealogist and was proud of his ancestral heritage. He was a member of several lineage societies, including the Sons of the American Revolution.
At his request, there will be a graveside service for family and a Celebration of Life at a later date.
While growing up in Norfolk, John attended Granby High School, and became a member of the wrestling team under renowned coach, Billy Martin. Following high school John received his BS in Education from Lock Haven University and his MS from Virginia Tech. He began his teaching career in Arlington, VA, and shortly became the wrestling coach at Wakefield High School. During his years at Wakefield, his teams won several tournaments and had multiple individual champions. After moving to Fairfax County in 1969, he coached for one year at Oakton High School. In 1970 he became part of the inaugural staff of the newly built Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax. During his tenure as head coach at Robinson, his teams won multiple district and regional tournaments as well as three state tournaments. Members of these teams also won many individual district, regional and state titles. He was twice named as The Washington Post All-Met Wrestling Coach of the Year, and three times named Virginia High School League Wrestling Coach of the year. He retired from coaching in 1991 with an overall win-loss record of 308-38-3.
His successful coaching career was honored by his induction into the Robinson Secondary School Hall of Fame, The Lock Haven University Wrestling Hall of Fame, and the Virginia High School League Hall of Fame. He has also been recognized by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for his achievements.
Many of his wrestlers will remember John's love of his Rottweilers. For many years, he enjoyed showing his dogs in obedience at AKC sanctioned dog shows. In 1974 his beloved "Helsa" was the top scoring obedience Rottweiler in the country. John was also an amateur genealogist and was proud of his ancestral heritage. He was a member of several lineage societies, including the Sons of the American Revolution.
At his request, there will be a graveside service for family and a Celebration of Life at a later date.
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