As a devoted father, grandpa “Papa”, great-grandfather and beloved uncle, Gene’s priority was always his family. He felt his duty was to provide for his family, and he provided a home, food, comfort, laughter and many memories. He taught them to laugh more, worry less and make the most of each and every day together.
Gene was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He finished his eighth-grade year and immediately went to work. Though he tried to join the service in World War II, he couldn’t due to health reasons. Instead, he supported the effort by building planes and making bullets. In 1942, Gene married the love of his life, Wanda. Soon after, in 1952, the two hopped on a motorcycle and drove from Henryetta, Oklahoma to Kansas City, Missouri where they built their life together. Gene and Wanda were married for more than 50 years, and their family threw them a party in 1992 to celebrate their marriage.
Gene built a successful career and worked for Douglas Aircraft, Sheffield Steel and Armco Steel, where he worked as a die reamer for 36 years.
Gene was a dedicated and active member of Raytown Christian Church for more than 50 years. He built his faith as an active member of the H&H and Four Seasons Sunday school groups and lived his faith through many ministries as a faithful deacon, Meals on Wheels volunteer, and church bus driver. When you ask someone if they remember Gene, they often recall how he drove the church bus all over the country.
In 1972, Gene and Wanda purchased a plot of land in Harrisonville, Mo. There, he made some of his favorite memories and lived out his biggest dreams alongside his family, riding horses and growing huge gardens.
Gene will be remembered for his devotion to his family, including his unyielding, selfless and sacrificial love for his wife, Wanda. We will remember his sense of adventure, and how he was always ready to hop in the car and explore somewhere new. He traveled all over the United States with his son and enjoyed exploring the Colorado mountains with his daughter and grandchildren. Most recently, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren took him to Arkansas to explore the land on which his family’s homestead cabin once stood- something he talked about doing for years.
Gene’s children and grandchildren remember frequent trips to Branson. They would camp, “see a show,” enjoy Silver Dollar City, and they built priceless memories over the years.
He loved being behind the wheel and seeking adventure. Whether loading up the whole family in one of his many vans or racing the family on golf carts in Branson, Gene was the first to bring the family together. If he could drive it, he loved it. Not only did he love cars, but he loved his sweet treats. In the last few years, Gene could be seen eating ice cream or snack cakes for dinner instead of the classic meat and potatoes. He had at least one Dr. Pepper each day, and we think that was his secret to a long, well-lived life.
When you came to visit Gene, you likely heard him singing and clapping along to his favorite song, The Mississippi Squirrel, by Ray Stevens. Or, you probably noticed him cheering on the Chiefs and Royals while he watched their games.
His son, Ron, fondly remembers going on his dad and uncle’s week-long fishing trips in Oklahoma each summer when he was a kid. Gene would drive Ron around his old town, showing him nostalgic spots and sharing memories and stories from his youth.
His daughter, Anna Dee, fondly remembers going to Disney Land on one of his three-month vacations from Armco when she was a kid. Gene and his family loaded up their travel trailer and road-tripped to California, exploring and sightseeing along the way.
Throughout the last few years, the best support system rallied behind Gene and kept him going strong through his 100th birthday. His devoted children and grandchildren cared for him daily and he had the best people visiting him and keeping him laughing, including Steve Smith, Gail Markley and his favorite nurses, Judy Sloan and Elaine Singleterry. His family would like to thank everyone who provided support including his church community, close friends and caregivers.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Gene’s memory to Raytown Christian Church.
Gene is preceded in death by his wife, Wanda J. (Tracy) Shepheard; mother, Lina (Boen) Shepheard; father, William J. Shepheard; mother-in-law, Ida Mae Tracy; father-in-law, Clarence Owen Tracy; siblings Charlie, George, Lawrence, Leoma and Vernon; and daughter-in-law, Vickie L. Shepheard. He is survived by his son, Ronald Shepheard of Kansas City, Mo.; daughter, Anna Dee (Victor) Villarreal of Raytown, Mo.; grandchildren, Tamra (Tony), Lauren (David), Michael and Blake (Michaela); and great-grandchildren, Trent, Dominic, Joseph, Ezra, Aaron, Olivia and baby Shepheard.
A visitation for Eugene will be held Wednesday, February 8, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Raytown Christian Church (6108 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown, MO 64133).The funeral service will begin at 12:00 PM. Following the service there will be a graveside committal at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens (7000 Blue Ridge Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64133).
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