Merlin Epp, a tireless educator known for his dedication in the Federal Way School District, died Oct. 9 of heart failure related to diabetes. He was 69 years old.

Epp spent nearly 40 years teaching in the district, with most of his time at Federal Way High School. There, he headed the school’s history department and shaped its curriculum by introducing elements such as a humanities class.

He is survived by Jeanne Epp, his wife of 46 years. The couple had a son, Shaun Epp, and daughter-in-law, Jennifer; son Jay; and a daughter, Jill, and son-in-law Cliff McCloe.

Known as the voice of the Eagles, Epp served as the announcer for Federal Way High School football and boys basketball games.

A public memorial and celebration of Merlin Epp will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21, at Plymouth Congregational Church, at 6th Avenue and University Street in downtown Seattle. To learn more, e-mail Jill McCloe at jill.mccloe@comcast.net.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the American Diabetes Association. To learn more, visit www.diabetes.org.

Donations can also be sent to: Association of Washington School Principals, Merlin Epp Memorial Fund, Cispus Learning Center, 2142 Cispus Road, Randle, WA 98377. To learn more, contact Susan Fortin at susanf@awsp.org or call (360) 497-5323.