He served in the U.S. Army from 1958-1960 serving tours of duty in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Newfoundland, and Greenland. One of the highlights on the USS Lindenwald coming back from Greenland in the Atlantic Ocean the ship ran into a hurricane and hit an iceberg knocking out the radar and sonar. They survived and the ship made it back to Virginia.
In 1964, he met, fell in love and in 1965 married Sue Lee. He and Susie spent the next 56 years in love and happiness. They enjoyed spending fun vacations to California, Arizona, Missouri, Utah and Florida, as well as many wonderful trips to Branson Missouri and to Disney World several times. Many great times were experienced with friends, Ray and Clara Mucciacciaro, Donra and Loren Paulson, Ana and Cliff Kemple, Diana and Bill Mareth, Sandy and Richard Hedges and Betty and John Wyeth. Johnny loved visiting his sister, Reatha in Utah and sister, Patsy in Detroit, Texas.
Johnny worked for Coca Cola Company for many years as well as 38 years for National Linen Company along with other places of employment.
He was a long-time member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Johnny served in various church callings over the years. As a teenager, he help build the Corpus Christi First Ward on Up River Road. He learned many building skills.
Johnny enjoyed his retirement years bowling, especially with his friend, Loren Paulson. He also spent many years having breakfast at Whataburger with his buddies. Johnny enjoyed many years of pizza birthday parties with is best “Bro,” Ray Mucciacciaro since their birthdays were on the same day. Ray made the best Italian pizzas.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Malcolm and Beulah Shepherd. Brothers, Edgar Augusta and Bill Shepherd, Sisters, Reatha Gordon and Dorothy Evans and one Step-son, Randy Lee.
Johnny is survived by his wife, Susie, Son, Jeff (Jennifer), Grandchildren, Luke Shepherd, Tara (Ryan) Swartz, Matthew (Emily) Shepherd, Tiffany (Thomas) Richardson, Evan Johnson, Brett Johnson, Great-grandchildren, Berkeley, Brockston, Braden and Briggs Swartz, Tessa and Tyce Richardson and Ava Shepherd. He is also survived by his Sister, Patsy (Max) Doyle, Nieces, Carolyn Stryzek, Becky Williams, Cynthia (Ross) Austin, nephew, Curtis Doyle, Sister-in-law, Sherry (Harold) Roberts and many other nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family is grateful for meals provided by the Corpus Christi Second Ward Relief Society and grateful for much care and concern from friends from Corpus Christi First Ward, Corpus Christi Second Ward and Corpus Christi Third Ward. We are eternally grateful for the association with such a loving church family.
Funeral services are entrusted by Memory Gardens Funeral Home, 8200 Old Brownsville Rd.
Family will receive friends on Thursday, April 15, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Memory Gardens Funeral Home.
A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, April 16, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Memory Gardens Funeral Home.
Interment will be held on Friday, April 16, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery, 9974 IH-37 Access Road.
In lieu of flowers please donate to your favorite charity or to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Humanitarian Aid.
