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Dalton Epting passed away on February 25, 2021 at the age of 80 years. He was a native of Northeast Florida, born in Hilliard and residing in Jacksonville most of his adult life. He was an accomplished athlete, playing basketball with the Hilliard Flashes, followed by the Stetson Hatters and the Army Big Blue. He was quite a local celebrity in the late 50’s/early 60’s and was featured many times in the Florida Times Union and Jacksonville Journal as a pivotal player on the Hilliard team and as a North Florida All Star team player. As a Stetson Hatter (1958-1962), he earned the distinction of NAIA All American and still holds school records for the most free-throws attempted and made during his career. He achieved the rank of 1st Lieutenant in the Army, serving in the Intelligence and Security Agency in Europe during the Vietnam War (1963-1965). During this time, he enjoyed playing with the Army Big Blue basketball team, providing a much-needed morale boost to the troops during a troubled time.
He also dedicated his career to excellence in education, serving the Duval County Public School System for over 40 years. His first assignment was at Wolfson High School the year it opened in 1965 as a mathematics teacher and basketball coach. At Wolfson, he had the pleasure of coaching a talented group of young people, many of whom went on to become leaders in the Jacksonville community. He held positions of Assistant Principal, Vice Principal and Principal at 6 local high schools including Terry Parker, Robert E. Lee, Paxon, Englewood, Fletcher and Mandarin. His proudest achievement was opening Mandarin High School as its first Principal. He retired from the Duval County Public School system in 1997 but was soon called back to teach advanced mathematics at Paxon School for Advanced Studies. He taught at Paxon through 2006, serving as the math department chair and being voted teacher of the year.
He loved the thrill of competition. He brought that passion to be the best to all of his endeavors: academics, basketball, track and field events, even recreational aspects of life. As a classroom teacher he wanted to excite his students about mathematics and the joy to be found in problem solving. As an administrator he sought to bring excitement and involvement to students and faculty alike to foster a positive atmosphere for all and of course have the “best high school” in Duval County.
Mr. Epting was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Zola Epting, brothers Buddy and Billy Epting, and sister Bobbie Karam. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Carolyn; son Billy Epting (Pam); daughter Claudia Portell (Keith); grandsons Kyle Epting (Danielle), Eric Epting (Rachel), Scott Epting, Andrew Portell and Aaron Portell; great grandchildren Mackenzie and Roen Epting; and brother Richard Epting (Jane).
A Celebration of Dalton's life will be held on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at 11:00 am at Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Legacy Lodge. Any who would like to share stories of Dalton will be encouraged to do so. We do ask that you please wear a mask. In lieu of flowers, the family request that a donation in Dalton's honor be made to the Hospice of your choosing.
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Bruce Barringer
I agree with Connie - I thought he was older than 80.
Mr. Epting was my all time favorite teacher and had the most impact on me. He challenged me in the math classes that I took with him. I grew up very poor but he encouraged me to find a way to go to college. In doing so he influenced my choice of careers. I am helping to launch the James Webb Space Telescope later this year and without Mr. Epting's guidance and encouragement I would not be doing this.
The obituary does not say it, but I believe that he worked at the school board for awhile or at least was there a good bit. My mom worked there for many years and often told me that Mr Epting had asked about me and how I was doing. By all accounts that I have heard, Mr. Epting was a nice and kind man.
Mr. Epting was a role model for many of us. For that I thank him in eternity.
Edward Jennings [Ed] White
I was fortunate to have Dalton as my Algebra and Trig teach at Wolfson High School 67-69. I later taught those subjects and Calculus at Wolfson for 9 years as a young man where I met Dalton's wife Carolyn as a co-worker and his children Claudia and Billy as students. Importantly to me and during that time, I was able to tell Dalton how he was my favorite and most inspirational teacher and that I tried my best to teach as he had taught - fair, firm and friendly. Later when I worked at Barnett and Bank of America I volunteered tutoring high school kids at Paxon and our paths crossed again. This time I was teaching his students and in a nicely weird way things had come full circle. My thoughts and prayers to Dalton's family. Dalton Epting was great man who touched many lives in positive ways, mine included.
Jerry Alden Howalt
I was in Mr Epting's senior math class. It did not start well, but by graduation I had learned a lot. The most Important thing was the final oral exam, I was scared s@&tless. This was the first oral exam I had ever experienced but was not to be the last. It set the foundation for numerous oral exams I was to experience in my aviation career. In my military career I had at least three check rides a year where you had an oral exam prior to your check ride and then my civilian aviation career you had at least two oral exams a year prior to your check ride. Mr Epting set the foundation not only in mathematics but also in self confidence. Fortunately, I was able to convey this to him at one of our reunions, I believe it was the 45th maybe. In any case condolences and all the best to his family and RIP Mr. Dalton Epting.
Gary Frederick Hannon
We were extremely fortunate to have an outstanding faculty during our time at Wolfson. "Coach" Dalton Epting was one of the Best of the Best! I was lucky to have him as my coach, teacher, mentor and friend. Whether it was on the basketball court, in the classroom or in life, he never waivered in his firm and fair approach. He connected with his players, students and all people like few are able to do. Dalton was genuinely interested in making people better and encouraged everyone to reach high to achieve their goals. He counseled many of us in our college and career choices, and guietly kept up with many in our class over the years, taking great pride in our accomplishments. I am grateful for his lasting frienship and for all that he did for me and many others. Rest in Peace Coach!!
Clifford Edward [Buzzy] Windle
I had Coach Epting for Trig and Avanced Algebra and thought when I graduated high school I would major in math - that was short lived but a starting point - lol! He was also my basketball coach my junior year. He was a very fair and fun coach and teacher. Rest in peace Coach Epting. Our thoughts and prayer's are with you and your family.
Richard Benton [Dick] Gormly
Although my encounters with Coach Epting during my Wolfson years (1966-1969) were limited to an occasional “substitute” as our gym teacher, I fondly recall him as a very imposing figure - particularly as we passed in the halls! Reading his obituary, it shocked me to realize when we were sophomores he was barely out of college and likely in his first job after his service in the Army. 8-10 years in age difference when you are young seems huge, but now it seems like he was our contemporary. My more personal experience with Coach Epting was in later life but not directly with him but through people whose lives he touched. My Aunt Eleanor Gormly Campbell (1919-2018) was a long-time secretary in the principal’s office at Lee. She would talk frequently about her fondness for Coach Epting during his days at Lee. Plus, if my memory is correct, I believe even after she retired from Lee, she would be called in as a substitute on occasion at the School Board during Coach Epting’s time there. She would say, “Coach Epting is one of the nicest people she ever worked with/for in her career.” His life was well lived and his impact far reaching – truly an example of what Linda Ellis’ poem “The Dash” is all about. I trust his family will see all of these great testimonies and be comforted. Matthew 25:21-23
Clifford Edward [Buzzy] Windle
Former Stetson men's basketball standout Dalton Epting dies at 80
Dalton Epting, who achieved all-state basketball honors and set school records at Hilliard High School before moving on to become Stetson's all-time leader in multiple statistical categories, died Feb. 25 at age 80.
The 6-5 center led Hilliard to the FHSAA Class C boys basketball final in 1958, averaging 23 points per game and earning first-team All-State recognition in three consecutive years.
He was also voted the state's scholar-athlete of the year for 1958 for the class, and leaped 21 feet, 4 3/4 inches to win the state long jump title in the same year.
At Stetson, he set records with 1,548 points, 826 rebounds and 494 converted free throws, while leading the team to its first 20-win season in 1962.
His free-throw mark still stands, while Stetson currently lists him seventh all-time in points and fourth in rebounds.
Epting is one of only eight players in program history to reach 1,500 points. In Epting’s junior season, he averaged 18.7 points and 12.1 rebounds as Stetson went 20-7. Stetson was 69-43 during Epting's career.
The university retired his jersey after his senior season, and named him to its athletic hall of fame in 1982.
After serving in the U.S. Army, he later became a noted administrator in the Duval County Public Schools system for more than four decades.
Robert Alexander [Bob] Stephenson
Like so many of us, Dalton Epting taught us to love learning math. I was part of his "zero hour" algebra II gang. Had him for Trig as well, before pre calculus with Anna Walker. An amazing teacher. Thanks Coach.
Bob Stephenson
Tom Maida
He was one of the good teachers who really cared. Had no idea that he was so young and new at the job. I considered a math minor, but stopped after Advanced Calculus & Trig as an undergraduate. The professor used his own book.
Zondra Louise Tyre
Dalton Epting was one of the major "influencers" in my life. He was my trig teacher at Wolfson. When he heard I was receiving a Florida Board of Regents Scholarship to any school in Florida, he talked to me about going to Stetson, his alma mater. Stetson was a perfect fit for me, and shaped who I am today in huge ways. And, watching him coach basketball taught me a lot about my favorite sport, as well. When I was teaching junior high English at a private school in Pasadena, California, a couple of years after I graduated from Stetson, I also started the girls' sports program for the school. The last 3 years I was there, my girls' jr hi basketball team was 53&1! Coach Epting's example of - hard work made fun/worthwhile (in academics and sports), care for each individual kid as special, and concern for always doing one's best - shaped my teaching days, and all the other jobs I've had over the years. Mr. Epting was for me a kind, caring, encouraging mentor and guide. I am grateful for his life well lived.