Ron Epps

Ronald Terrell Epps, age 66, was called home to be with our Lord and Savior on October 7, 2026. Ron was born December 4, 1959 to proud parents, Clyde and Brenda Epps, in Houston, Texas. He was the best big brother to Denise Mullis, of San Augustine, Texas. After graduating from San Augustine High School in 1978 he joined the United States Air Force.

After basic training, Ron met and fell instantly in love with Laurie (Olmstead) Epps. Telling his good friend Bill Smith at a local watering hole in Mississippi, “I'm going to marry that girl.” He was unapologetically a romantic guy, and loved his woman to the moon and back, ten times over. He was the original girl dad to his four amazing daughters, Christie (Jim) Halliday of St. Cloud, Minnesota, Toni (Greg) Clements of Warner Robins, Georgia, Kayleigh (Matt) MacRunnel of Webster City, Iowa, and his namesake, Ronni Arnold of Ft. Dodge, Iowa. The only thing he loved more than all of these women in his life were his 9 grandkids, Brynley, Kasyn, Jaycee, London, Presley, Thomas, Tyler, Mya, and Connor.

Ron was a jack of all trades, and master of a few. He was a handyman, mechanic, expert meat smoker, great cook, heck - he could even braid his girls’ hair once upon a time! His quick wit was unmatched and his way with words, a true work of art. His love of music was infectious and endless useless knowledge, impressive.

Ron took pride in providing for his family. Some of our favorite stories and memories come from his time as a roustabout on the Pennzoil oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico, a manager of the truckstop portion of the infamous Trump’s I-35, a foreman at Frigidaire/Electrolux, and a front desk manager at Gerber Auto, and. However, he found his true calling as a paraeducator at Sunset Heights Elementary much later in life. That job filled his heart and soul, and gave him something to look forward to every day. He truly cherished his time with the kids and staff there. One of our favorite stories was when a little boy on the playground came up to him and said “I’m on to you. You’re not fooling me.” Curious, Ron said “Oh, what do you mean bud?” The boy replied, “I know who you are….you’re Santa, you just got a hair cut.” Maybe it was the glasses, maybe it was the belly, or maybe it was the grey goatee…but we like to think it was his heart that the kids recognized the most.

In the end we will laugh more than we will cry, we will keep telling stories as he told them to us, and of course we will toast in his honor! In lieu of flowers or really anything at all, please gather with friends and family, preferably around a kitchen table or a fire pit in the backyard, have a cocktail or two, laugh and tell stories, and be sure to turn the radio UP! That's what Big Ron would do.

Ron was preceded in death by his father, Clyde Epps, brothers-in-law, Rick Olmstead and John Olmstead, nephew, Eric Olmstead, mother-in-law, Jan Olmstead, and father-in-law, Larry Olmstead. 

The family will host a visitation from 4:00-6:00 pm on Sunday, October 11, 2026 at the First Congregational Church of Christ. A memorial service will be at 1:00 pm on Monday, October 12, 2026 at the First Congregational Church of Christ. Family and friends are invited to join the family in fellowship at the American Legion following services Monday.