In Loving Memory — Memorial pub crawl for local fallen angel
Past local Christopher “EPP”?Epperson was a well-known island gentleman. He was known for his infectious laugh and personality that could brighten even the toughest of smiles. Although EPP returned to his hometown of Somerset, Ky., a few years ago to start a family, his presence on Fort Myers Beach was never forgotten.
Sadly, EPP passed away unexpectedly Aug. 20, shaking up anyone who’s known him through the years. A beautiful memorial service was held for him in Somerset shortly after, and as so many on Fort Myers Beach mourn his loss, a very special memorial benefit pub crawl has been organized in his honor, as well, taking place Monday, Sept. 14, beginning at 11 a.m., at the Shamrock Irish Pub.
So far, a wonderful array of gifts have been donated by beach businesses, to be raffled off during the memorial crawl, including The Mermaid, Hoosiers in Paradise, Hooters of Fort Myers Beach, The Sandbar and Grille, Matanzas Inn and Matanzas on the Bay, Pinchers Crab Shack, The Beach Pub, Smokin’ Oyster Brewery, Castaway’s, Sarah List Photography, DiamondHead Resort, The Cottage and many others.
“A heartfelt thank you to all those who have donated these wonderful gifts for my baby’s memorial,” said Caroline Epperson, EPP’s mother and very close friend. “I want To formally thank everyone for the love, the prayers, the donations to Kamryn’s fund, but most of all, I want to thank you for loving my beautiful son. He was amazing. Cherish every moment; say ‘I Love You’ a thousand times a day even when they’re 30 years old give goodnight hugs and kisses.”
From the Shamrock Pub, the memorial will commence on the north end of the island until 5 p.m., when the service gathers at The Outrigger on the south end of the island, followed by a trip to Castaways at 6, and then a trip across the street to Pincher’s at 7, where everyone will release candle-lit Chinese lanterns at sunset, to bid farewell to Chris from his favorite island, Fort Myers Beach.
All monetary donations and proceeds from the raffles will be used to set up a trust for Chris and Kristy’s 3-year-old daughter, Kamryn. If you would like to make a monetary donation to Kamryn’s trust but cannot attend the memorial, there is also a GoFundMe account set up at GoFundMe.com/ChrisEppEpperson.
For those joining the ceremony from off-island, the Wyndham Garden Hotel (formerly the Holiday Inn, 6890 Estero Blvd.) has blocked out rooms under the name “Epperson” at a reduced rate of $69 a night, specifically for this event.
“Thank you all for your continued support. This will be a fun event to celebrate the life of our beloved Chris. He was always smiling and loved to have fun, so we will honor him by doing exactly that.”
For additional questions, or if you would like to donate a prize for the raffles, contact Will Vander Haar, Caroline Epperson or Melissa Napora-Friess, and feel free to RSVP on the very special memorial Event page on Facebook by searching, “Celebration of Chris ‘EPP’ Epperson’s Life.”