J.D. Sheppard

J.D. Sheppard, born January 19, 1922 in Athens, Texas to William Newton Sheppard and Beulah Fitzgerald Sheppard, passed away September 14, 2013. J.D. was a graduate of Kilgore High School. He played basketball while attending Tyler Junior College. Then on October 27, 1942, he entered the Army and was discharged March 14, 1946. A veteran of WWII, he served in the Pacific Theater of Operations. Upon his return, he attended Stephen F. Austin. J.D. earned his degree in Education while playing basketball and later earned his Master's Degree. Shep coached in the Dallas Independent School District for ten years. He was extremely proud of the close contact he kept with the men he had coached at Pleasant Grove and Forest Avenue High School. Shep officiated in both football and basketball for the Southwestern and Oklahoma Athletic Associations, and was a life member of the Dallas Coaches Association. Shep was a zone manager for the Dr. Pepper Company and advanced to Midwest Division Manager, receiving the Presidents Award. He was president of Texas Bottlers Supply Association and served on the boards of Midwestern State Bottlers. He became the Regional Sales Manager for Chattanooga Glass in Corsicana and later an Independent Representative for Southwest business' in the bottling industry. J.D. has been a member of the First United Methodist Church for 45 years. He served as a Sunday school teacher as well as on the church board. An incredibly special man, he touched many lives with his warmth, wit, wisdom and love. He always took a personal interest in everyone he met. One of his former students wrote, "His kindness, willingness and affection has always resulted into things that have affected the lives of others." He is survived by his wife Billie of 67 years; children, Kathy Huskey and husband Rod, Barbara Sheppard and John Sheppard and wife Karen; grandchildren, Lukas Hubbard and wife Julie, Joel Hubbard and wife Lynsey, Paul Sheppard and wife Amanda, Jane Sheppard and Anna Rogers and husband Caleb; great grandchildren, Cole Hubbard and Bryce Hubbard and many nieces, nephews and cousins. A memorial service will be held 2 pm Tuesday, September 24, 2013 at First United Methodist Church in Corsicana. Family visitation will follow after the service in the parlor. Memorials may be made to: First United Methodist Church 320 N. 15th Street, Corsicana, Texas 75110