Stuart Epperson, the co-founder of Salem Media, passed away this week at the age of 86 following a years-long battle with leukemia.
According to a press release emailed to Christian Headlines, Epperson co-founded Salem Media (formerly known as Salem Communications) in the mid-1980s along with his brother-in-law, Edward Atsinger. Together, they expanded Salem Media into a prominent Christian and conservative radio broadcasting network across the United States.
“Stuart will be greatly missed by many. I will miss him, but I take comfort in realizing that he is already receiving his reward for a life well-lived,” Atsinger said in a statement.
“A life that personifies the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7-8: ‘I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. Now there Is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.’”
In addition to Salem Media, Epperson served as a former member of the board of directors of the National Religious Broadcasters Association. In 2005, he was named one of Time Magazine’s 25 most influential evangelicals in America.
Epperson was also a member and former president of the conservative Council for National Policy (“CNP”). In 1984 and 1986, he was the Republican nominee for the fifth Congressional District of North Carolina.
Epperson graduated from Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina, where he received a bachelor’s degree in radio/television broadcasting as well as a master’s degree in communications.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy, four children, daughters Kristy, Karen and Kathy, and son Stuart Jr., 21 grandchildren, one great-grandchild and two more on the way.
He is also survived by his sister, Mary Lee King.
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Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for Christian Headlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.