Gordon Almon Van Epps

Gordon Almon Van Epps, age 95, returned to his eternal home on February 7, 2016. He died in his Mesa Arizona home, surrounded by his family and loved ones, of causes incident to age.
He was born April 1, 1920 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Almon Vedder Van Epps and Leona Major Van Epps, and was raised in Phoenix, Arizona. On January 27, 1945 he married the love of his life, Jayne Dunn, at the home of his parents in Phoenix Arizona while on a leave from the Navy during World War II. They were later sealed in the Logan Utah Temple.
Following WWII he completed graduate school at USU, in Logan Utah, graduating in Agronomy. His employment has always centered around agriculture and plant research with a major focus on service. He taught at California Polytechnic College in San Luis Obispo, California, Snow College in Ephraim, Utah, worked with USU in Logan Utah for 30 years while living in Ephraim, Utah doing agronomic research, revegetation studies, native plant and soil research and helping farmers in central Utah.
He had the unique and marvelous experience of taking his family around the world, experiencing the joys of new friendships, cultures and wonders while performing great acts of service. They lived 3 years in Karaj Iran where he helped develop a large modern research and demonstration farm; 2 years in La Paz and Cochabamba Bolivia where he helped farmers in wheat production and finally Lesotho in southern Africa aiding farmers increase food production.
He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many leadership positions everywhere he lived, which he enjoyed so much because of the wonderful people he served, loved, and was so greatly loved in return. With his cherished Jayne he served 2 missions, to Nauvoo, Illinois, and Adam-ondi Ahman, then later served in Manti Utah Temple.
Preceding Gordon in death are his parents, his brother Kenneth Major Van Epps, his youngest daughter Debra Jayne Van Epps Peterson, and his oldest granddaughter Jennifer Marie Nelson. He is survived by three daughters and his sons in law, Leone Van Epps (Richard) Pearce, Diane Van Epps (Jim) Goodman, Marie Van Epps (Jim) Nelson and Bryce Peterson, 22 grandchildren and 48 great-grandchildren.
A celebration of Gordon's life will be held February 13, 2016 in Mesa Arizona. A week later on February 20, at 11:00 am following a brief graveside service, he will be buried beside his wife in the Hyrum Utah City Cemetery a year to the day after her interment.