John Lee Epple

John Lee Epple, 80, of Dewey, Oklahoma, passed away on June 11, 2024, of natural causes.

John was born on September 18, 1943, to James Barney Epple and Elena Fern (Kniffen) Epple at their home at Todd Ranch, which was NE of Talala, Oklahoma. John was the seventh child born to James and Elena. John’s siblings included Delores Lay, Juanita Hewitt/Andrews, James “Sonny” Epple, Cecillia Elliott, Charles Epple, and Bonnie Spurgeon; all whom preceded him in death.

John went to grade school at Watova, Terrell #46, and Nowata for grades 9^th-12^th, graduating in May of 1961. He entered the Army National Guard in 1961 and served through 1968. He was also a volunteer at the Nowata Fire Department 1960-1969.

John began his career in law enforcement as an auxiliary officer in Nowata. In 1965, he worked for the Bartlesville Police Department. Five years later in 1970, he began his longstanding career with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, retiring in 1992.

On June 16, 1984, John married the love of his life; Patricia Jane Frieden. The couple made their home in Dewey and were married for 40 years. In his free time, John enjoyed mowing and tending to his lawn, building custom smokers and char-coalers, and fishing. Another one of John’s big interests was BBQ, smoking meats, and catering his meats. John volunteered at the Delaware Pow Wow for 30 years and was a member of the Dewey Masonic Lodge #466.

Those left to cherish the memory of John include his wife: Patricia Jane (Frieden) Epple of Dewey, OK; his daughters: Anjie Marks and husband, Jeffrey of Tulsa, OK, and Johnna Gambill and husband, James of Broken Arrow, OK; his sons: John Epple and wife, Amber of Dewey, OK, and Steven Epple of Tishomingo, OK; his 9 grandchildren: Dusty Catron and husband, Adam of Claremore, OK, Danielle Ferrin and husband, Jamison of Capenter, WY, Katie Alton and husband, Travis of O’Fallon, IL, Brad Gambill of Muskogee, OK, Elena Walker and husband, Jackson of St. Louis, MO, Lukas Crawford of Dewey, OK, Brody Crawford of Dewey, OK, Saylor Ford of Dewey, OK, and Hannah Epple of Dewey, OK; and his 8 great-grandchildren: Ciara, Payten, Kiley, Jenson, Ally, Kiersten, Hollis, and Lennyn.

A visitation for family and friends of John will be held on Thursday, June 13, 2024, from 5:00 PM-8:00 PM at the Benjamin Funeral Service Chapel in Nowata, OK. The funeral service will be at 10:00 AM on Friday, June 14, 2024, at the Benjamin Funeral Service Chapel. Interment will follow at the Fairview Cemetery in Talala, OK. In lieu of flowers, memorials in John’s name may be sent to The Journey Home at 900 Washington Blvd. Bartlesville, OK 74006. Funeral arrangements and John’s final care has been entrusted to Benjamin Funeral Service. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemoriesnowata.com.