Funeral Service for Joe Epton age 85 of Ormond Beach who passed away Monday August 29 at Kindred Hospital in Green Cove Springs FL will be held Thursday September 1st at 9:00 am at Central Baptist Church with Rev. Doug Harrell officiating. The interment will immediately follow the service. His family will receive friends on Wednesday August 31st from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Lohman Funeral Home Ormond. Mr. Epton was born on February 6 1920 in Spartanburg SC and began attending stock car races at the fairgrounds track in Spartanburg at a young age. Mr. Epton struck up a friendship with the legendary driver/promoter Joe Littlejohn who staged the Spartanburg races and soon Mr. Epton was working for Littlejohn in a variety of positions including chief scorer. Mr. Epton met Big Bill France the future founder of NASCAR through Littlejohn in 1946 when Mr. France was returning to his home in Florida after working on the crew of the car which had just won the 1946 Indianapolis 500. Mr. France promoted stock car races throughout the Southeast and was in need of someone who understood racing and could handle scoring efforts for his racing circuit. Mr. Epton jumped at the chance to be paid for what had been his hobby and he was hired on the spot for $25.00 per race. Mr. Epton became NASCAR?s chief timer and scorer in 1947 with the formation of the sanctioning body and he held that position until 1985. His contribution to the sport helped bring the world of electronic timing and scoring to what it is today. During his tenure Mr. Epton probably attended more NASCAR races that anyone covering literally thousands of events from New York to Florida to Utah and all points in between. He was known as one of the best-liked officials who counted many of the drivers as friends. He was always in the pit area prior to the races chatting with competitors and crews alike. Mr. Epton?s amazing memory never dimmed. He could recall races and facts from 60 years ago with ease and his quick wit made for entertaining storytelling of racing?s bygone days. Mr. Epton was a member of Central Baptist Church a charter member of the Ormond Elks Club past member of the Daytona Beach Quarterback Club and a former Director of the Living Legends of Auto Racing. His large stature and ready smile will be missed by all who knew Mr. Joe Epton. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years Juanita ?Lightnin? his son Joe Epton Jr. wife Peggy and their daughter Casey of Ormond Beach FL; his daughter Joan and husband Don Maxwell of Daytona Beach FL their 3 children and 6 grandchildren; his daughter Brenda and husband Fred Lockman of Moore SC their 8 children and 17 grandchildren and great grandchild. In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made in his memory to Central Baptist Church 142 Fairview Ave. Daytona Beach FL 32114 and Living Legends of Auto Racing P.O. Box 290854 Port Orange FL 32129-0854. Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.lohmanfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are under the careful direction of Lohman Funeral Home Ormond.