Keller "Sonny" Vernon Epting

Mr. Keller Vernon “Sonny” Epting, Jr., 80, of Salisbury died on Monday, November 15, 2010 at Rowan Regional Medical Center. Born May 13, 1930 in Gaston Co., NC, he was the son of Mary Owen Epting and Keller Vernon Epting, Sr, he attended Salisbury city schools, graduating from Boyden High School in 1948 then graduated from Catawba College in 1953 with a BS Degree in Business. Mr. Epting served two years in the U.S. Army at Fort Jackson, SC as a personnel administrative specialist. He married the former Pat Melchor, the love of his life, on August 3, 1952 at St. John’s Lutheran Church. They were married for 58 years. Mr. Epting was named Executive Vice-President of the Salisbury-Rowan Chamber of Commerce in July 1968, a position he held until his retirement in 1995. He came to the Chamber in August 1965 as assistant to Mr. Hank Palmer. In his 30 years he oversaw the county’s tourism, commercial and industrial recruitment efforts. During the 1980’s he helped to create spin-off agencies such as the Economic Development Commission and the Rowan Convention and Visitors Bureau. He served as president of the N.C. Economic Development Association, also serving as president of the N.C. Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. Mr. Epting is a graduate of Management Development Inc, at Chapel Hill and completed the Principals of Organizational Management at the University of Georgia in Athens. He is a past president of the Salisbury Rotary Club, having been a member since 1968, was a Paul Harris Fellow, and it was during his presidency that a second Rotary Club was established in Rowan County. Mr. Epting was named to the Board of Directors of Citizens Federal Savings and Loan Bank in 1992 and also served on the board at the Salisbury Country Club. He was devoted to his family and friends and a mentor to the people who worked with him. Playing golf with his buddies was his favorite pastime. He and his wife, Pat, enjoyed extensive traveling after his retirement. Having been a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church all his life, he has served on the church council, the Finance and Property Boards, Superintendent of St. John’s Sunday school, head usher, Brooks Sunday school class, the G.O. Club and head usher. His favorite times were spent singing in the Men’s Chorus. Mr. Epting is survived by his wife, Pat; sons: Gregory Vernon Epting and wife Anne of Winston Salem and David Scott Epting of Charlotte; grandchildren: Gregory Brandon Epting of New York and Laura Epting Pallavicini and husband Chris of Winston Salem; and great-grandchild Caleb Dawson Pallavicini. Also surviving are sister, Mary Emma Epting Kanaley of Glendale, AZ; and brothers, James Edward Epting of Salisbury and William McLauren Epting of Raleigh. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday (Nov. 18) at St. John’s Lutheran Church, conducted by Rev. Rhodes Woolly and Rev. Jan Huntley. A private burial is planned. The family will receive friends following the service in the St. John’s Library. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 200 West Innes Street, Salisbury, NC 28144. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Epting family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

Keller "Sonny" Vernon Epting

May 13, 1930 - November 15, 2010