A Celebration of Life to John Moyer Epperly
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by: Ted Proctor
10-01-2023
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A Celebration of Life to John Moyer Epperly
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On September 30, 2023, family, friends, and wrestlers came together in Burke Virgina to share the life of John Epperly, who passed away on January 7 of this year.
Both John's son (John) and daughter (Lynne) both spoke of their life experiences with their father. The ceremony then had many wrestlers and coaches that spoke on a great and remarkable person that coach Epperly was as they all expressed joyful memories.
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A Celebration of Life to John Moyer Epperly
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John Epperly grew up in Norfolk, VA, and wrestled for Granby HS. John went on to wrestle for Lock Haven University and graduated with a BS. He started teaching and coaching in Arlington, VA, at Wakefield HS. His coaching path would then land him at J.W. Robinson HS in Fairfax VA in 1970 when the high school opened.
He was the head wrestling coach for 21 years and led the Rams' wrestling team to three State Champions (1980, 1981, and 1985) and won 14 District Titles and 12 Region Championships. While coaching the Rams John's team also were Virginia State runner-up in 1974, 1975, 1984, and 1987. John also compiled a remarkable career overall win-loss record of 308-38-3. Mr. Epperly retired from teaching and coaching in 1991.
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1981 J.W. Robinson HS Virginia AAA State Championship team
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Throughout John’s coaching career he 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. In 1990 John was also inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
“We are a lucky bunch. In the 51 years of Robinson, we have had incredible success because of, in my opinion, consistency in coaching with only three head coaches. Many of us were mentored by one of the best to ever do it. . . He is one of my heroes, and over 30 years ago, his lasting impact made me want to be a coach. He built our program from the ground up, and he mentored us to be strong adults who stuck by our commitments, acted with class and made the best of our situations. He was an organized, driven and caring human being. He also mentored us to be successful, taking many into his own home, and he never gave up on us. . .” @robinsonwrestling Instagram : Post by Bryan Hazard
More information on John Epperly:
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