Local activist Karl Epperson dies at 68

Karl Epperson

Karl Epperson, a disabled veteran, former mayoral candidate and community activist died in his sleep Sunday evening at age 68.

Despite needing an oxygen tank to breathe and having a degenerative disk that kept him wheelchair bound, Epperson fought until the year he died to keep public housing and to make known the needs of people with disabilities.

He advocated the need for more downtown affordable housing and spoke out this year to bring attention to bed bugs causing havoc to himself and other residents in Overlook Apartments.

"Karl cared a great deal about the people in his community and he never backed down from a fight," said Chris Brooks, an elder at Renaissance Presbyterian Church where Epperson was a member.

Brooks helped care for Epperson in the days before his death.

Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services will handle cremation arrangements. A memorial service will be conducted by the leadership of Renaissance Presbyterian Church. The location and time will be announced, said the Rev. Leroy Griffith, retired pastor of Renaissance Presbyterian.

In 2010 Epperson became a founding member of former Mayor Ron Littlefield's Council on Disability, according to Griffith. In 2011 he became a founding member of the Westside Community Association. And in 2011 former City Councilman Andre McGary nominated Epperson to the city's Beer and Wrecker Board. Mayor Andy Berke appointed him this year for another three-year term. He also participated in drafting the City Review Board of the Chattanooga Police Department.

Epperson ran unsuccessfully in 2012 for the District 7 City Council seat. He ran unsuccessfully in 2005 for mayor of Chattanooga.

He was central to advocating the need for public housing and affordable housing, said Brooks.

Later in his life he also began to caution people about the long-term effects of smoking. Epperson, who smoked cigarettes for more than 30 years, died of complications related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, said the Rev. Leroy Griffith, retired pastor of Renaissance Presbyterian Church.

Brother Ron Fender, former outreach case manager at the Chattanooga Community Kitchen, was among several people posting on line condolences concerning Epperson.

Fender wrote, "May flights of angels sing him to rest. He was such a sweet, kind and holy man."

Contact staff writer Yolanda Putman at yputman@timesfreepress.com or 757-6431.