James Wesley 'Jimmy' Epperly

James “Jimmy” Wesley Epperly passed away on March 19, 2019. He served on the Christiansburg Fire Department for 54 years of which 38 years were as Fire Chief. Jimmy had many accomplishments, of which he was very proud. After joining the Christiansburg Fire Department, he rose through the ranks as Firefighter, Engineer & Training Officer, Lieutenant and Captain. He was elected as Chief in 1971 & held that position until his retirement in 2009. He was hired by the Town of Christiansburg in 1988 to be the first paid career Chief. He was the longest seated chief in the history of the department to date (youngest chief in their history) He was President of the Virginia State Fire Chiefs Association 1998-99; appointed to the Virginia Fire Service Board by Governor Charles Robb in 1985; President in 1974-75 and Life member 1990 of the Southwest Virginia Firefighters Association; Charter member of the Virginia Fire Services Council; Chairman of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Commission 2005-10; Life member of the Christiansburg Rescue Squad; he also received a letter from President Richard M. Nixon in 1972 for his dedication to fire prevention.
He served as Vice President, President and Owner of Epperly Pontiac-GMC Trucks until 1988 when he became fulltime Fire Chief. He was a Long-standing member of the Christiansburg Hunt Club, and Past President.
He was preceded in death by parents Paul Wesley and Nena Argabright Epperly. Jimmy is survived by his loving wife, Linda Holbrook Epperly; 5 children, Jennifer Epperly McDonald (Tom), Paula Epperly Walker, J. Wesley Epperly II (Sanequa), Katlyn Epperly Garner (Jeramie) and Christopher “Cade” Kark; Brother, Larry Alton Epperly. Step-Children, Marla Mundy (Jamie) and Mike Mundy (Abby); special cousin Eugene Argabaright (Rene).
Grand-children, Mitchell Myers, Erin Myers, Brayden Epperly, Kylee Epperly, Elizabeth Walker, Anna Leigh Walker, Owen Ward, and Oliver Garner. Step Grand-Children, Jordan McDonald, Maddie McDonald, Cody Doyon, Morgan, Logan, Jaxon, Kendyl, and Knox Mundy; as well as fellow firefighters and families of Christiansburg Fire and Rescue Departments, members and families of Christiansburg Hunt Club and Montgomery Game and Fish Club.
Visitation Friday March 22, 11:00am to 1:00pm and 4:00pm-6:00pm at Horne Funeral Home in Christiansburg. Funeral services are Saturday March 23, 2019 at 1:00pm at St. Paul United Methodist Church, Christiansburg. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christiansburg Fire Department or Christiansburg Hunt Club.