Justin Clayton Epting

Justin Clayton Epting was born in Harvey, Illinois on February 19, 1975 to
John C., Sr. and Dorothy Dot White Epting; he came a month early eager to
see what all the fuss was and tell them how to do it right. The very same
enthusiasm and tenacitywith which he enteredthis life, he showed throughout
his life as he wrote his own dash between the dates, going home to God on
February 13, 2021.
Justin, known as Shortty to his Day Ones, had his most defining moment of
many defining moments early; he trusted Jesus as his Savior while attending
church camp as a teenager. His faith and zeal for God would later define
much of his adulthood, as a deacon and Sunday School teacher at King
Solomon Baptist Church in Omaha, a restaurateur well known in Bellevue,
and as the big homey to all the little homeys, big and small. Many can attest
that if Justin met you, teased you, and ultimately nicknamed you, you could
count him as family.
Justin was a natural-born athlete and enjoyed and excelled at football,
basketball, wrestling, and eventually, boxing. After graduating from North
Platte High School in North Platte, NE, he immediately enlisted in the US
Navy where he would go on to compete with the All Navy boxing team,
winning all along the way. Unfortunately, hed be forced into early medical
retirement from the Navy due to a kidney disease.
While stationed in San Diego, CA he met two loves of his life, his wife
Carolyn, and his son LaDarius. They settled in North Platte where Justin
graduated from North Platte Community College before relocating the family
to Omaha. He subsequently graduated from University of Nebraska at Omaha
earning degrees in Nutritional Science and Dietary Medicine.
Justin was well known for opening and operating a family run soul food
restaurant Quick Bites Soul Food in Olde Town Bellevue. His restaurant felt
like home to all who visited; an extension of his own home to those blessed
enough to know him in that space. He treated all patrons like family and
frequently prayed with them, caring first to feed their souls with prayer
followed by delicious comforting food. He brought his faith to every table and
space he entered. Many will meet him in heaven because of his obedience to
God.
Justin loved his family. Whatever you needed; he took it on himself to give it to
you. He had a dream that his eight siblings along with his mom would own a

big acreage and each would live in their own separate mansions with their
families. He had even researched and scoped out a spot in Bellevue. As
bizarre as that dream sounded, considering everyone was well grown by this
point and had established lives and careers in various placesit showed his
heart, what he loved, and what he saw as success. And that was his family
and them being together.
Justin spoke often of His Savior, Jesus Christ, and was concerned that others
would accept Gods gift of eternal salvation. It did not matter where--on the
street, at a gas station, a park, a grocery store. During his many visits to
hospitals and clinics, he would pass out gospel tracts to anyone hed meet. He
would patiently answer the questions presented by one medical professional
after another, and then ask his question--where would they spend eternity?

Awaiting Justin in heaven is his niece Yulissa Itzel Epting. Justin leaves to
cherish his memory his loving wife Carolyn, daughter(Second Class Petty
Officer and Master Helmsman) Justinna, and sons LaDarius (Ariel), Jaylen,
and Jru, and granddaughters Azriella and Xamia. In addition, he leaves his
mother, Dot Epting and father, John Epting, Sr., as well as eight siblings:
John, Jr. (Llaby), Jason (Jessica), Jeron (Courtney), Jeffery (Crystal), Jeremy,
Jennifer, Jessica, and Jillian (Joel) Hoover; nineteen nieces and nephews,
one great-nephew, many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, sailors, employees,
parishioners, and patrons who will assuredly ache at his absence. He is now
with his loved ones who went on before him, having earned the annotation
well done on his dash between the dates.