Eric Epperson

Services for life-long Del Norte resident Eric Epperson will be Saturday, April 14th, at 1 p.m. at the Cornerstone Assembly of God, in Crescent City, California. Eric died suddenly April 5th in Medford, Oregon after an illness.

He’d been the PE teacher at Crescent Elk Middle School for 15 years, coaching boys basketball .  He also spent six years working in the Warrior football program — two years with the junior varsity and four years working as an assistant coach for with varsity team.

Retired Del Norte High School coach, Dick Trone writes of Eric in his January 15, 2010 edition of ‘Warrior Memories,’ from the Daily Triplicate: “Through the years Del Norte has had a number of outstanding linebackers, and Eric rates with the very best. He was part of a group that featured Dennis Hintz, Lee Musholt, Marc Slayton and Shawn Lesina that was very stingy giving up yards or points.”

Eric graduated from Del Norte High in 1986, where he was not only an outstanding linebacker and fullback, but a skilled varsity basketball player and golfer.  He later played football at College of the Redwoods before graduating from Humboldt State University.

As my friend, Collen Rankin-Wheeler reminds me, “If you want a beer — have two — one for Eric.”

He was 44 years-old, having been born November 5th, 1967. Eric leaves behind a wife and daughter.