Early Life Story of Gordon Almon Van Epps
--- Written by his mother, Leona Major Van Epps, in about 1952
Gordon Almon Van Epps, son of Almon Vedder and Leona Major Van Epps, was born April 1st, 1920 at 2517 Park Street, Salt Lake City, Utah. Dr. Harding was attending physician, with Harriet Harrod (Aunt Hattie) and Mrs. Alvin Soren assisting. He was blessed by his uncle, Don Major. His father was very ill with rheumatism for four months before he was born, and the Dr. recommended we move to a warm dry climate, so we sold everything we had and left Salt Lake City via train for Mesa, Arizona, when Gordon was 5 weeks old. We stayed there for eleven months. His father got well so we moved back to Salt Lake City and stayed there for 1 ½ years, then moved to Huntington Park California, where his mother’s brother, Heber and his family lived. Gordon had a serious illness while living there. His father got a job in Orange California, where we lived for nearly 2 years. Then the company sent us to Fullerton California. His father was manager of an Implement Store there for several moths until his health failed again, so we moved to Phoenix, Arizona December 24, 1924, on recommendation of the Doctor.
Gordon was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Mesa, Arizona Temple by Lorel A. Stapley, October 1, 1932 and confirmed by Ervin W. Atkerson on October 2, 1932 in the Phoenix 2nd Ward. He was ordained a Deacon by Lorel A. Stapley December 28, 1932 in Phoenix 2nd Ward. He has advanced in the Church until he is now Bishop of the North Ward in Ephraim, Utah where he has lived since July, 1952.
Gordon went to the Osborn Elementary School from Kindergarten through the eight grade. Then to Phoenix Union High School from which he graduated June 3, 1938. He graduated from Phoenix Junior College, May 26, 1940. He went to Logan, Utah in September 1940 to attend the Utah State Agricultural College, from which he graduated with a BS degree in Agronomy and Botany, on June 1, 1944. The family were all there for the graduation exercises in Logan, Utah. We met his girlfriend, Jane Dunn, who later became his wife. We brought Gordon back home to Phoenix with us after the graduation.
World War II was going on at the time. He enlisted in the Navy in Phoenix while he was home for the Christmas Holidays, but his draft board deferred him until he graduated in June. He was sent via train to Columbia University, New York City for training as an Officer. He graduated as an Ensign in the Navy 3 months later, one of the “90 Day Wonders.” They sent him to the University of Illinois in Champagne for 3 months training as an Engineer, after which he spent some time in Chesapeake Bay on Landing Ships. They assigned him to an LCI rocket ship as engineering Officer and sent his ship via Panama Canal to San Diego, California. He came home on a short furlough before going to the battle zone I the Pacific. He was in the invasions of the Marshall, Saipan, Philippine Islands, and others. He was on the LCI for 18 months. Got a furlough to come home for 30 days, after which he was set to Rhode Island and Florida before going on the new supply ship “Cybele” as an Officer. This ship carried supplies to the battle zones of the Pacific. Gordon stayed on it until the War ended. It was near the battleship “Missouri” near Tokyo when the surrender papers were signed. He got his honorable discharge in Okinawa. He was then a Lieutenant Senior grade.
When he was home on furlough, he married Jane Dunn, daughter of Simeon ad Wanda Dunn of Hyrum, Utah on January 27, 1945. He went to Hyrum to visit her ad brought her back to Phoenix. They were married in our home at 14 West Windsor Avenue by Elder Delbert Stapley (now an Apostle in our Church) and later solemnized in the Logan Temple. Her mother came down for the wedding.
After Gordon left for Rhode Island, Jane went to Hyrum for a short time, then went east to stay with him until his ship left for the Pacific. Then Jane went to Hyrum to live with her parents until Gordon came home. He got an honorable discharge from the Navy November 1945. He got home I December and how very grateful to God for his safe return to us, we were. He decided to continue with his education—he got a teaching scholarship at the Utah State Agricultural College in Logan, where they spent the next two years working for his master’s degree, which he received in 1948.
After graduation he got a job teaching in the California State Polytechnic College at San Luis Obispo California where he spent four years.
In July 1952 they moved to Ephraim, Utah where Gordon got a job teaching and doing research work for the Snow College, a branch of the Utah State Agricultural College. They are still living in Ephraim. Gordon is now Superintendent of the two College farms, one at Ephraim and one at Nephi Utah and doing research work. They have four lovely daughters.
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Gordon Almon Van Epps--short outline bio (written about 1958) by Jayne Van Epps as an intro.
Gordon A. Van Epps, born April 1, 1920, in Salt Lake City Utah. Parents are Almon V. Van Epps ad Leona Major Van Epps. One brother, Kenneth M. Van Epps.
Attended Grammar school, high school and first two years of College in Phoenix, Arizona. Last two years of College were at Utah State Agricultural College, where graduated with a BBS in Botany.
Enlisted in the US Navy in 1944. Attended Naval School at Columbia University and the University of Illinois at Urbana, Illinois. Served nearly 4 years on active duty during World War II, most of the time in the Pacific. At present time, holds the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the US Naval Reserve.
Married Jayne Dunn in 1945 in Phoenix, Arizona, while still in the service.
After termination of the War, continued education at Utah State Agricultural College, where received the Master of Science degree in Agronomy in 1948.
Moved to San Luis Obispo, California and taught in California State Polytechnic College. Became active in the Branch there, was Melchizedek Assistant Group Leader and Instructor, also Sunday School Teacher - later becoming an assistant to the Branch President. When the Branch was made a Ward in 1951, was chosen as 2nd Counselor to the Bishop.
Traveled 210 miles round trip at least once a month to attend Stake Meetings, and Conference through heavy traffic to Santa Barbara, California.
Moved to Ephraim, Utah Juy 1, 1952. Taught part time at Snow College and work part tie with the Utah Experiment Station, USAC, in carrying on Agronomic Research in this area.
At present, employed full time with the USAC Experiment Station, with an office at Snow College. Besides carrying on Experimental work in Sanpete and surrounding counties, he is Superintendent of Snow College Farm, and the Nephi Dry Farm.
While living in Ephraim West Ward, taught Sunday School class, M-Men and Jr. M-Men in Mutual, also Counselor in YMMA. Served on Stake Aaronic Priesthood Committee.
Since moving the the North Ward in August, has been on the High Council, Stake Senior Aaronic Priesthood Committee and Chairman of the Stake Scouting Committee.
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| Gordon and Jayne with Leone and Diane |
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| Gordon and Jayne Van Epps Family Reunion in Pinedale Arizona.(about 1881-1882)..where they told us of their new assignment to Losotho, South Africa |
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| Van Epps Girls with Husbands in Ephraim, Utah |
