Joel Matthew Epps PhD

Joel Matthew Epps, PhD was born on June 27th, 1957 in Borger, TX. He was the second son of Herman and Molly Epps. 

Joel grew up in Phillips, TX at the foot of the largest inland oil refinery. Joel graduated from Phillips High School and attended Frank Phillips College for two years. Later, he attended the University of Texas in Austin until he transferred to the University of Nebraska where his uncle, Kenneth Berry, was a professor.

In 1979, Epps moved back to Texas, attending West Texas State University. While there, he met Dale Ann Garrett of Lefors, TX, a graduate of Texas Woman’s University, who was doing her graduate work at WT. They married on November 27th, 1980 and the couple moved to Denton, TX. Their first son, Ashley Garret Epps, was born there in 1982 while Joel was working to complete a Master’s of Business Administration at TWU.

After Joel’s graduation, the family returned to the Panhandle of TX. They made their home in Borger for ten years adding a second son, Ross Anthony Epps, to the family in 1984.

In the fall of 1993, the Epps’ moved to Quanah, TX where Joel became the city manager. The couple purchased a 1902 Victorian home which began their love of restoration and renovation of historic properties.

After four years in Quanah, Joel took an offer from Texas Tech to help open the Amarillo Campus of The Texas Tech School of Pharmacy which brought the family to Amarillo, TX. Joel was a founding member of the team at The Texas Tech School of Pharmacy and remained there for 26 years until his retirement.

Epps earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology degree in 2016. 

After retirement Joel enjoyed spending time with with the family and beloved dog, Rusty, at their vacation properties in New Mexico. He loved to spend time maintaining his backyard garden and greenhouse. Joel also continued to speculate and complete property renovations in Amarillo and the surrounding areas.

Joel is preceded in death by both of his parents Herman and Molly Epps and his sister Cara Clifton. 

The family will host a gathering on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at 1:00pm, please contact Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors for further information.