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1939 - 2015
 JERRY LEE EPLING, 75, of Salt Rock, W.Va., passed away Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at his residence. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 9, 2015, at the Wallace Funeral Home & Chapel, Barboursville, by Pastor Kevin Shull and Pastor Brian Cardwell. Burial will be in Enon Cemetery. He was born May 8, 1939 in Boone County, a son of the late Vernon and Vertle Epling. He was preceded in death by his sister Nancy Powers and brothers-in-law Charlie Powers and Leo Pauley. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Juanita Jeannine Ramsey Epling; three sons and daughters-in-law, Mark and Barbara Epling of Lavergne, Tenn., David and Kim Epling and Michael Epling, all of Milton, W.Va.; two sisters, Mollie Pauley of Hurricane, W.Va., and Janet Jarrell of Jeffery, W.Va.; two grandsons, Scott Wells and Dakota Epling; four step-granddaughters, Paige and Andrew Varney, Jessica Hensley, Courtney Black Wolfe and Megan Howard; one step- great-granddaughter, Skylar Hensley. Jerry was Production Director of Herald-Dispatch from 1985 until retirement in 2004. During that time he earned five Gannett Presidential Rings, but gave all the credit to his staff that were, “willing to buy into all my crazy ideas.” A Boone County native, Jerry delivered the Charleston newspaper during junior high school, which began a lifelong career in the media. After graduation from Madison Scott High School in 1957, he joined The Herald-Dispatch's circulation department and began working a split shift to deliver both the morning H-D and the afternoon Huntington Advertiser in November, Six months later, he took advantage of an opening in the composing room as an apprentice printer - eventually working up to assistant night shift supervisor. Then he began coming up with a string of innovative ideas that has converted the production department from a cost center to a revenue center. Through its subsidiary, River City Printing, the newspaper began printing jobs for other newspapers and publishing concerns throughout the country. Visitation will be Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Wallace Funeral Home, Barboursville. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.timeformemory.com/wallace. |
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There are currently 5 condolences.
Richard "Dick" Humphreys
jrh5774@live.com
Friday May 8, 2015 at
5:12 PM
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Jerry was a neighbor to be admired and looked up to. He helped me get my first job in the media industry, working at the Hedrald in the "stuffing "department where we manually inserted the sunday Comics into the Sunday News. He was a good neighbor and friend to my parents Tom anxd Ruth Humphreys as well as many others. I know he will be sorely missed. My blessings to all.
J. Richard " Dick" Humphreys
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Christi Spears
Friday May 8, 2015 at
9:21 AM
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I sure am going to miss Jerry taking his walks down Trace Creek with Blackie. We are all going to that sweet smile and all his great cooking skills. We're going miss him at church the most. God bless you Epling family.
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Betty Stone
Thursday May 7, 2015 at
4:16 PM
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Mark and Barbara -
Thinking of you and your family during this difficult time.
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Phil Stanley
Thursday May 7, 2015 at
11:48 AM
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Jerry helped me become the person I am today. He took me under his wing when I first started at the paper (I knew absolutely nothing about the newspaper business) and guided me along the way. We shared many laughs and stories and I always admired his positive attitude and willingness to do just about anything to help the newspaper and its employees. His innovative ideas, creative mind and enthusiasm helped put Huntington and The Herald-Dispatch on the map.
Jerry my friend, rest in peace. You will be sadly missed.
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Jerry Briggs
Thursday May 7, 2015 at
10:33 AM
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Jerry was a good friend and mentor to many. He influenced so many lives and will not be forgotten. He will be remembered for his progressive ideas and old school values. Jerry's love for newspapers and creative ideas were second to his love for others. He will be remembered as "Pawpaw" to many and the "E-factor" to those that worked with him closely. Rest in peace my friend. I will miss you!
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