Gerald "Jerry" R. Eppel, Sr.

Gerald R (Jerry) Eppel, 79 of Willis, Texas, passed away in his home on June 5, 2022, after an extended illness and with 48 years of sobriety. Jerry was born on September 17, 1942, in Saint Paul, Minnesota, of parents Raymond and Clara Cobb Eppel. He grew up in Mitchell, South Dakota, where he lived on Lake Mitchell and enjoyed boating, fishing, and water skiing. He attended Notre Dame Academy for 11 years and graduated from Mitchell High School in 1960. Upon graduating from Dakota Wesleyan University in 1964, he went to work as a manager of KORN TV and later KORN radio. After leaving South Dakota, he eventually settled in Texas where he worked as a Dale Carnegie instructor and subsequently formed his own motivational speaking company and advertising agency. On March 5, 1988, he married Jennifer Yoder in San Antonio, Texas. After leaving the advertising world, he trained capuchin monkeys and entertained at fairs all over the country until he retired in 2004. In 2018 Jerry and Jennifer relocated to Willis Texas where he fulfilled his dream of again living on the lake and enjoyed many hours boating on Lake Conroe. He was a member of the first church of Christ, Scientist in The Woodlands, Texas.

In addition to his wife, Jerry is survived by four daughters, Gina Reynen of Mitchell, South Dakota; Julie Eppel of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Clara Eppel of Temple, Texas; and Sharon Eppel of San Antonio, Texas; one son, Gerald Eppel Jr of Mitchell, South Dakota, and ten grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Christina Eppel.

An invitation only virtual service is scheduled for July 9. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hallie’s Heroes at teamhalliebea.org or to Haven for Hope in San Antonio, 1 Haven for Hope Way, San Antonio TX 78207.

The family would like to thank Bristol Hospice for their compassionate care in his final days.