Frank Eppright

Frank Douglas Eppright, beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend to many, entered eternal life on Dec. 2, 2012 after courageously battling brain cancer for almost two years. Frank is survived by his loving, dedicated and devoted wife, Elaine Eppright, Lenexa, KS, and his three cherished daughters, Caroline Eppright and Melanie Eppright, both of New York, New York, and Elizabeth (Libby) Stone and Libby’s wonderful husband, Kevin Stone, Kansas City, MO. Frank was born on Nov. 21, 1952 in Warrensburg, MO, to his dear parents, Charles S. Eppright, DVM, who pre- deceased him in 1968, and Ila (Henrikson) Eppright, who survives him. He is survived by his steadfast siblings: Thomas D. Eppright, M.D., (Janice) Shaker Heights, OH; Patti (Eppright) Schehr (Kevin) Versailles, MO; and Martha (Eppright) Roussin (Chuck) Boynton Beach, FL. He is also survived by his terrific nieces and nephews: Margaret and Charlie Eppright; Mallory Schehr) Hutcheson (Seth); and Charlie and Katie Roussin. He is also survived by his many extended McDonough family in-laws all of whom loved him deeply and treasure his impact on their lives. Frank grew up in Versailles, Morgan County, MO. He enjoyed helping his Mom and Dad in the veterinary clinic. He loved Morgan County and whenever he drove back there, would always roll down his car window and say ‘it just smells sweeter here.’ Frank graduated from Versailles Grade School and High School. He was a Boy Scout and lifeguard. He played grade school and high school basketball and ran track there. He and his family are well-known and loved there. He, in turn, was grateful to all the people of Versailles who were so kind to and supportive of his family after his Dad’s death. Frank graduated from Drury College in Springfield, MO, in 1974. He was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. He attended Perkins School of Theology in Dallas, TX for one year before he decided to become an attorney. Frank and Elaine met in law school at the University of Missouri-Kansas City from which he graduated in 1978. Frank and Elaine were married on Sept. 19, 1981 and were crazy with happiness over the birth of each of their beloved daughters. Frank developed a specialty in workers’ compensation practice. Initially Frank worked for The Travelers. Subsequently, Frank established The Eppright Law Office, LLC in 1990 where Elaine joined him in 1999. They represented injured workers in Missouri and Kansas. Frank loved his practice. He was fearless and enjoyed mediating and trying his many clients’ cases. He was always happiest when he was able to succeed for them. He enjoyed just being at the Division of Workers’ Compensation where he could talk to his many friends: Judges; Court personnel; fellow attorneys; and his clients for whom he cared deeply. He produced clients for innumerable depositions and deposed many witnesses himself. He loved asking younger opposing attorneys who appeared in Court and at depositions against him if they might like a few pointers on how better to proceed in the future. He was glad to later see their improvement at different settings even if they were again facing him on the other side of the table. Frank located his law office in the Livestock Exchange Building in the West Bottoms. He always appreciated the many kindnesses everyone there and at the Golden Ox Restaurant extended him, his friends and family. Frank also had the best, most dedicated and hard-working staff. Many, many times he had to actually turn off lights and tell the attorneys and staff to quit working because their work days had long since ended. He and Elaine considered their staff to be family and always appreciated their hard work. They have missed each and every one of them terribly. Frank was a sports lover. He was a basketball and baseball aficionado. He especially loved the Royals and MIZZOU. He coached basketball, softball, soccer and track teams while his daughters were growing up. He delighted in seeing them play whether they won or lost. Frank loved running and ran many 5ks and 10ks, 1/2 marathons and two marathons. He treasured his cardiac rehab, golf and Canadian fishing buddies and every one of his trips and outings with them. He deeply appreciated his golf friends making it possible for him to play as many rounds as possible after his glioblastoma diagnosis. Frank loved movies and grew up seeing many at the Versailles Royal Theater. He absolutely loved music and especially the Beach Boys and folk music; but, he also admired countless other musicians and their music. He was expert in his knowledge of sports, movies, bands, songs and instruments. He learned to play the guitar as an adult. He was an avid reader and especially loved reading history. When he was a child growing up, he read the encyclopedia for fun. He was a treasure trove of information and loved playing trivia at The Brick. His knowledge of movies, sports, music and history was awesome and came in handy while the rest of his team most often sat mute and unable to answer. Frank’s special charity was The Bishop Sullivan Center’s Project Elder Cool which installs air conditioners and helps pay utility bills for the elderly poor during Kansas City’s long, hot summers. For many years, as hot weather approached, he could not rest until his annual appeal to Kansas City’s legal community went out. Frank battled brain cancer fiercely and without complaint. He comforted everyone else with his jokes. He was very funny and loved life, his wife, children, Mother, siblings and loyal friends. He, of course, made more great friends while fighting his brain cancer. His cousin, Jim Henrikson, came back with him one day from radiation at MD Anderson and said the radiation patients waiting for treatment had voted for and elected Frank their Class President. Our deep thanks and gratitude goes out to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Greater Kansas City; Elaine’s bunko buddies; all of our friends; Neuro-Surgeon, Dr. Ania G. Pollack, M.D.; Susan T. Jackson, PhD, Speech Pathologist; The University of Kansas Medical Center; Father Don Cullen and Queen of The Holy Rosary Parish, Overland Park, KS and Holy Trinity Parish, Lenexa, KS. Our special heroes are the Jim and Margaret Henrikson family, Bellaire, TX; Matt Anthony and The Head For The Cure Foundation; Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care; and, everyone at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, especially: JoAnn Love, Phlebotomist; Amanda Polk, RN; Carolyn Loch, RN; Terri Armstrong, RN; Radiologist, Dr. Paul D. Brown; and Neuro-Oncologist, Dr. Mark R. Gilbert, all of whom are dedicated to “Making Cancer History.” We love them for giving us hope, for their many kindnesses to us, for becoming our dear and close friends and for extending Frank’s life. Recitation of the Rosary will be Friday, Dec. 7, 2012 beginning at 5 p.m. at Porter’s Funeral Home, 8535 Monrovia, Lenexa, KS. Visitation will follow from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at Queen of The Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 7023 West 71st, Overland Park, KS with burial immediately following at Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa. Donations can be made in Frank’s honor and memory to: The Bishop Sullivan Center’s Project Elder Cool; MD Anderson Cancer Center Brain and Spine Department: Head For The Cure; Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care; Queen Of The Holy Rosary Parish, Overland Park, KS or Holy Trinity Parish, Lenexa, KS. Frank fought the good fight, he finished the race, he kept the faith. We will never forget you Frank. We will love you forever and always. God only knows what we’d have been without you.

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