Obituary of John W. Shephard

John William Liddon Shephard, 12/24/23 - 3/7/11. Born in Ocala, Florida to Dr. G.C. Shephard and Rhoda Liddon Shephard, Mr. Shephard graduated from Ocala High School in 1941 and entered the University of Florida. He played trombone in the University of Florida band and joined a combo with his dear friend of many years Bob Dosh; playing at the ATO house and at other venues on the campus. World War II interrupted his schooling at UF and he enlisted in the Army Air Corp in February, 1943. He was trained as a radio operator serving in the South Pacific. He was honorably discharged from service in February, 1946. After the war, Mr. Shephard resumed his studies at Bowling Green Business College (now Western Ky. State College) where he attended with another dear Ocala friend, Jack Floyd. After completing business school, he briefly attended Stetson University before moving to Miami, Fl. and working for the CAA. After spending six months in Miami, he enrolled in Florida State University and was among the first commissioned officers ROTC in the school's history. He graduated from Florida State, B.S. Economics in 1951 and being a Seminole became a great source of pleasure and pride for him. In 1953, Mr. Shephard was introduced to Patricia Humphrey of Ocklawaha by an old friend, Clark Liles. Months later, the two were married and enjoyed 51 years of happiness together. The family spent eleven years in Cordele and Macon, Georgia while Mr. Shephard was employed as a sales rep for Sinclair Refining Company. Wanting to return to Ocala, Mr. Shephard left Sinclair and embarked on a second career in Education; teaching Distributive Ed. at Vanguard High. He retired in 1988. Mr. Shephard was an avid bird hunter and was known as one of the best dove shots in Marion County. He enjoyed bass fishing on Lake Bryant with his dad and others. Watching FSU football provided cherished moments with family and friends. Preceding him in death was his wife, Patricia Humphrey Shephard and two sisters, Mary Louise Smith and Jane Beckham. He is survived by his children, Sharon Crabtree (Allen) of Ocala and John Robert Shephard (Christine) of Tallahassee, Fl. He leaves behind loving grandchildren J. W. (Kelly), Christopher, Tyler, Shannon and Addison; in addition to many wonderful in-laws, nieces and nephews. He was of the Protestant faith. A funeral service will be held at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, 910 E. Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, FL on Friday, March 11, 2011 at 2pm. Visitation will also be at the funeral home on Friday from 1pm until the time of the service at 2pm. Interment will follow at Ocklawaha Community Cemetery, Ocklawaha, FL.