James Robert Shepard

James Robert Shepard passed away on August 16, 2025, at his home surrounded by loving family after a hard-fought illness. He was born on May 23, 1964, in Kokomo, Indiana to the late Huston Shepard and the late Nancy Lamb Shepard Heltsley. He married Charisse (Wenger) on August 29, 2018, and built a life together with a lot of love and laughter, adventures and shared experiences with many friends and family.

Early in life Jim learned the importance of hard work and he instilled that same work ethic in his crew and others around him. He joined the apprenticeship program of the Heat and Frost Insulators Local 18 and earned his journeyman’s card in September 2000 under the Indianapolis Asbestos Workers JAC. Known as ‘Shep’ to his peers and others on jobsites, he became a lifelong employee of Fargo Insulation beginning in March 2001. Retiring his tools he finished his career as a Field Superintendent. He was known as a leader and mentor to many who admired his loyalty, dedication, mastery of his craft and knowledge of the trade.

Weekends were often spent roaring up and down the roads on long Harley rides with buddies and family often led by his cousin Ken (Cathi) Pritchett and brother-in-law Bob (Denise) Forrest. Destination riding was his favorite with the destination often leading to a casino within neighboring states. He was a lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan and could always be counted in for a game of euchre, poker and cornhole. Many summer days and nights were spent hosting get togethers around the pool with his favorite classic rock tunes blaring.

Jim leaves behind a family who loved him dearly, including his loving wife Charisse, stepchildren Nick (Casey) Thill, Austin Thill and Kelcie Thill and son James Shepard Jr, grandchildren Gabriella and Isabella Rivera and Evan Thill, brother Steve (Daphne) Shepard and sisters-in-law/brothers-in-law Denise (Bob) Forrest and Bunti (Robert) Smith along with many nieces and nephews as well as countless friends whose lives he touched along the way. He was a source of strength, wisdom and humor and his loss will be deeply felt by all who knew him. Special thanks to life-long friend Pat (Jill) Creighton for your love and support over the last weeks.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Greg and Jeff Lamb, David, Joe and Kent Shepard.

Visitation will be held at Ellers Mortuary at 3400 South Webster Street, Kokomo, Indiana on Friday August 22, 2025 from 11 am to 2 pm with funeral services immediately following at 2 pm. Jim’s final ride will be to Albright Cemetery in Kokomo, Indiana. Motorcycles are encouraged to join the procession for this destination ride. The family encourages guests to wear Harley Davidson attire and/or come as you are, he did love a good pair of jeans and sleeveless shirts!