Family Says Final Farewell to Late Chef

In a tranquil monastery outside Los Angeles, close family and friends said their final goodbyes to son and brother David B. Epps on Sept.  22. 

Investigators believe Epps, 49, hanged himself Aug. 1 behind the Sport Chalet in Laguna Niguel. 

, as well as extended family, said they will remember him as a talented chef for the  someone who liked to fish, auditioned for the TV show "Boston Legal" and was a proud paratrooper for the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army.

In August, local friends and loved ones held a separate memorial at Faith Episcopal Church to pay their respects. 

His mother, Gerri Epps, 73, who resides in Northern California, said the California members of the family, including herself, daughter Karen and niece Jamie and her family, held the final service at St. Andrews Abbey in Valyermo, a Benedictine monastery in the foothills of the Antelope Valley. 

Epps' father, Joseph, now 74, is a retired architect living in Virginia.

“There was a small pond with large koi, goldfish, little turtles and salamanders. It was a very comforting spot," Gerri Epps said. "Being an outdoor spirit, David was very comfortable outside."

Rev. Karen Epps, a minister in Northern California, and her boyfriend, Rev. Bill Engelhart, conducted the celebration of David’s life for the service. 

"They used sage to smudge away any evil spirits, and spoke of David’s life as we all related it to him. He even had a copy of David’s favorite song, 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' by Israel IZ Kamakawiwo'ole," Gerri Epps said.

She said anyone who would like to make a donation in David's name should do so via the Faith Episcopal Church at 27802 El Lazo, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677.

"The homeless and organizations that help them were very dear to David's
heart," she said. "If anyone wants to make any donations in David's memory please donate to the church's dinner fund."