Al Kepley

– Thomas Alvin Kepley, a devoted husband and father, died peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on July 15, 2013. Al Kepley was born on May 28, 1928, in Salisbury, NC, the son of the late Thomas Albert and Frances Roeana (Lowder) Kepley. A 1945 graduate of Hickory High School, in Hickory, NC, Al went on to obtain his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from North Carolina State University in 1950, where he was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He then served his country for two years as a member of the U.S. Army before beginning a distinguished 38 year career with the Veterans Administration where he rose to the level of Executive Service 5 before his retirement. During his career, Al was certified as a Registered Professional Engineer. In 1956, Al married Pauline Blair of Roanoke, Virginia and a year later they welcomed the first of their five daughters. Pauline predeceased Al in 1988 and in 1994 Al was blessed to marry Ernestine Stout Clayton, and welcome her son to his family. Al was always active in politics and his community and he valued the motto “Service Above Self”. This was evidenced by the organizations to which he gave his time and energies. He was a life member of the Elks Lodge #2309 in Bowie, Maryland. He was also a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary International and served as President of the Kent Island Rotary and as the Assistant Governor of Rotary International. Al thoroughly enjoyed his role with students as a Character Counts Coach and he was surprised to be named Coach of the Year. He was a Vestry member of the Christ Episcopal Church. Al also served the Cloverfields Property Owners’ Association (past President), TRIADE, Seniors with Law Enforcement and the Queen Anne’s County Department of Aging. He was an active member of the Kent Island Carvers, Kent Island Yacht Club, NC State Alumni Association and the TKE Alumni Association. Al is survived by his wife, Ernestine, children: Jan Keefer (Jack), Vickie Bowersox (David), Carolyn Denny (Bill), Lynda Kepley and Jonathan Clayton (Kathleen); 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by his daughter, Kaye Kepley; his sister, Betty Sharpe; and his son in-law, Jeff Biles. A celebration of Al Kepley’s life on earth will be held on Saturday, July 20, 2013 at 11:00 am at Christ Episcopal Church, 830 Romancoke Road, Stevnesville, MD. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Queen Anne’s, Inc., 255 Comet Drive, Centreville, MD 21617; or to Christ Episcopal Church, 830 Romancoke Road, Stevensville, MD 21666.

Al Kepley

May 28, 1928 - July 15, 2013