Funeral services for Epkie Lee Gruben, 57, of Brownwood, will be held at 2:30 PM on Thursday, July 12, 2012, in the Netherton Funeral Home Chapel with Bo Blair and Butch Blair officiating. Interment will follow in Bangs Cemetery under the direction of Netherton Funeral Home and Cremations. Visitation was held from 6 to 8 on Wednesday, July 11, 2012, at the funeral home.
Mr. Gruben passed away on Tuesday, July 10, 2012, in San Antonio Texas .
Epkie Lee Gruben was born on September 27, 1954, in Brownfield Texas to Claudie Ray Gruben and Billie Jo Essary Gruben. He was raised and attended school in Brownfield and on December 31, 1999, he married Gretchen Teague in Merkel Texas . Epkie had enjoyed catching rattle snakes, playing darts, horseback riding and watching TV. He was a long haul truck driver and had lived in Brownwood for the last 13 years, moving here from Merkel.
Epkie will be remembered for his love of family, his strength, his sense of humor, and his stubbornness. He will also be remembered for his love for Chevy Trucks, rattlesnakes, Harley Davidson motorcycles and his black t-shirts.
He left behind to cherish his memory, his wife, Gretchen Gruben of Brownwood; six sons, Jeffrey Gruben and wife Lisa, of Navarro Mills Texas, Michael Gruben and wife Mandy, of Brownfield, Harley Gruben and wife Tonya, of Dayton Texas, Casey Gruben of Waxahachie, Richard Teague and wife Leah, of Abilene and Duayne Yearian of Trent; four daughters, Krystal Teague of Abilene, Winter Gruben of Brownwood, Cheyenne Gruben of Brownwood and Shellie Brock of Brownfield; his parents, Claudie Ray and Billie Jo Gruben of Brownwood; 13 grandchildren; one brother, Carl Gruben and wife Jan, of Brownwood; one sister, JoAnna Dawson and husband Gary, of Brownfield; one sister-in-law Stephanie Cathy and husband Terry; and in laws, Chuck and Carol Woffenden.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Claudie Gruben; sister, Sherry Kay Gruben; grandparents, E.E. and Minnie Gruben, Willie Lee and Elizabeth Grace Essary; three nephews, Russell Gruben, Gary Gruben and JR Kuykendall; and one niece, Michelle Gruben.
