
Just learned of Val's passing. Sad to hear. I cherish the bolo tie he made for me as a graduation present. 



It was a true honor and privilege to work with Val and Colleen while he underwent treatments at my center. I know this post is late, but I think of Val often. His spirit will be with us forever. He is missed dearly by not just myself but all of us at Texas Oncology South Austin.

-Laura 



Shepperd Family,
I cannot tell you how sad I am to learn that my dear friend Val D has passed.  My  heart is heavy for you all.  It has been probably 10 years since I talked with Val D, it was a conversation to try and get him to come back and attend the class reunion.  He kept saying he couldn't believe that we would want him to come as he did not graduate with us.  He was soulful true friend to so many of us here and still in our hearts and thoughts.  Just a few weeks ago, our daughter bought  Tim tickets to the Willie Nelson concert and we talked about how Val D had introduced us to Willie's music.  Many of us have wondered how he was doing and was always in our conversations when we would talk about our school days.  He was such an influence of Jr. High school days, and we have never forgot him or your family.  I am so sad that I did not stay in closer touch with Val D.  I can remember all the great times that spent with our family at your great house, and how much love and acceptance that was in your home, and how safe, secure and welcomed always felt.  There are many people here in BA that will be very saddened to hear the news of Val D's passing.  Please, get in touch with us and let us know how you are doing.  We would love to reconnect and keep in touch.  We will pray for you all.  We will never forget Val D nor will he ever leave our hearts as he is and will always be part of our souls.
With Love and Blessings
Starr Falling and Tim Falling
Broken Arrow, OK



Val worked with several of us at UTMB on correctional health care issues over the years, and all of us so appreciated his intelligence, his warmth, his cool-headedness, and  his understanding.  Besides his knowledge of the issues and his helpfulness, he was truly  a pleasure to be around-- always -- even in the press of session stresses.     And now that we read about the richness and vastness of his life and  interests --  travel, art, photography, deep friendships-- we wish we had had more time to get to know him better.   We  feel extremely fortunate to have been able to know him even just a little bit -- We will miss him.   Our sincere condolences to his family and  friends, whose loss we cannot even begin to imagine.  



I worked with Val off and on for at least 20 years (TAPC/TDCJ and LBB). I'm not the adventuresome type, so thoroughly enjoyed being vicariously adventuresome through Val. He was not the type to talk much about himself or his adventures or to push his pictures from his trips on others, but if prodded, he would gladly share, while flashing that somewhat shy engaging smile. Val almost always remembered to include me in his picture sharing.

He and I were among about a dozen "LBBers" attending a conference in Florida back in summer 2001. On my own, I would not have thought about visiting the Salvador Dali museum while there, but Val headed up a group of us to go, and we all had a great time.

Val might have been pleased to know that my husband and I were hiking in the Grand Tetons when I received word of his passing. I was out of town until late the Monday following Val's memorial, but he and his family were in my prayers all the week following his untimely death. I am deeply saddened.

Val was a great guy to work with and to know.




VAL HAD AN AURA ABOUT HIM THAT COULD BE FELT AT EASE. HIS PHYSICAL PRESENCE WILL BE MISSED DEARLY.  BUT THE MEMORIES, SPIRIT,AND HIS LOVE WILL LAST FOREVER. SEE YOU IN HEAVEN. CUZ FOY



Though it has been many years since I last saw Val, my memories of him are of a kind and compassionate person. He was aomeone that you were always glad to see and spend time with.  It is indeed sad to him leave us so soon. 



Val was my friend many years ago.  I have never forgotten his charm and wit.  I am happy to see that he lived a full life, and deeply saddened to hear of his passing.  Blessings and Peace to his family.  



With all my heart I wish you peace. Val was an extraordinary presence in my life and will never be forgotten.  My deepest sympathy to his family and friends. 

Doug 



Corey, 

It seemed that your brother was truly an active, intelligent, adventurous, caring, and fun man to know.  I know you will miss him greatly.  Hold on to the love and lessons he taught us and how he lived a full life every day.  God bless you and your family.


Love in Christ
Steve Brock



Corey,
Always know you are in our thoughts and prayers...
Kathy and Luke



My condolences to Val's family. For the last 10 -15 years I have been cutting Val's hair. It Makes me sad to hear of his passing ; I will miss him dearly.



Val was a fellow world traveler, adventure-seeker, climber, colleague and friend of mine who lived the life to which many aspire--but few actually realize. My last interaction with Val before Val went off on his final climb had Val giving me his Lonely Planet guides to Egypt and Jordan (because I expressed interest in visiting the Middle East), and telling me how much he loved the ancient ruins--but not the food. We joked about how I don't do ruins, but I do enjoy good food. Like so many friends and colleagues, we will always treasure the fact that Val passed our way. RIP Val.



I was never close friends with Val but was acquainted with him for several years. I admired him from the beginning. I admired his courage above all. The courage to go and the courage to do. To see new places and have new adventures while others waited for the stories.



Shafeeqa and I wish to offer our deepest condolences to Val's friends and family.  We always appreciated his many positive character traits that so many have already touched on by others so eloquently here.  Val possessed a dedication to his personal life and his work life in a way that was both balanced and done with passion.  Consequently we, like many others who knew him, constantly marveled at how he could fit so much into so little time over the course of a month, a year, or as the case now is - a lifetime.   

Whenever I saw him, I greeted him with, â€œAnd what are you up to nowadays?â€ knowing that that conversation would be interesting and enjoyable. And, he never disappointed.   I'll miss those conversations and we both will miss Val.




I had the pleasure to work with Val for 12 wonderful years. He was a very brilliant and dedicated employee. He always had a smile on his face even during session. I will miss him dearly. I pray that Colleen and both families will find peace. My prayers are with all of you.



What a lovely picture of Val, one that captures the essence of who he was.

To me Val was more than just a friend.  His unparalleled gift to me was to help me create a special bond with my then 13 year old son, Jasiel (now 24 and better a young man from this time with uncle Val) by teaching us both and taking us rock climbing and then later kayaking.  For this, I owe him much.

We were gardening friends, too.  We worked on each other's gardens and exchanged plants.  Val was just so many things.  He lived life to the fullest more than most people and that is why this is so very difficult, so very painful, to lose him like this.  For Colleen to lose him like this.  

That he found you, Colleen, and had you as his soulmate, to share the kind of life he wanted to lead is incredible, and that you found each other, and that he had you through this difficult time, Colleen.

Much, much love from Bill, Jasiel and I, for you Colleen and we are here for you, you know that.  And, to all of Val's and Colleen's family, all we can say is that we are thinking of you and may your fond memories of Val help you through this difficult time.    



My mind cannot yet picture this world without Val being a pert of it.  He was much more than a brother to me.  He taught me to see so much more of the world, near and far.  I will cherish the memories he has left me.



I was profoundly saddened to hear Val had passed away.  Val was a remarkable person and I feel I am both a better analyst and a better person for having known him.  I will always remember Val fondly.  I wish you (Colleen and Valâ€™s family) strength, comfort, and peace during this difficult time.



I was so terribly sad to hear of Val's passing.  I had the distinct pleasure of working with him many moons ago at TDCJ.  Val was truly one of the nicest people I have known ... not to mention a great, smart and always helpful colleague.  Many memories have come flooding back because Val is not a person one forgets.  I know his family and friends will miss him dearly.  I, too, love this photograph of him.



Colleen and the rest of Val's family and many friends: I worked down the hall from Val for the last six years. People here have printed and taped photos to the door to Val's office as an impromptu shrine to his memory. Many are photos from his travels, which he would share the link to if you asked. 

Val: I remember your presence, your low-key friendliness, your wry sense of humor, the way you peered over the top of your glasses, your focus at work. I remember how tickled you were when I demonstrated Lion pose in yoga class. We did it 3 times on Tuesday in your honor. 

We are still absorbing your sudden loss. You are gone too soon. 



For dearly a decade, Val was my "go to Person" when it came to budgetary matters on criminal justice issues.  He knew the subject matter and the importance of the numbers.  No exaggeration, Val was "excellent" at his job and he made me better at mine!  I came to know him as more than a LBB staffer; he was a professional at his craft and a good person who made his contribution to the people of the State of Texas.

As I prepare to return to Austin to face another legislative session, I want this family know that Val's personal presence will be missed but his contriubution and importance to this State will not be forgotten.

VAL, THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN TEXAS IS MORE SECURE THAN WHEN WE STARTED AND ARTICLE V IS ON BUDGET!



Rosa and I want to express our deepest sorrow for Val's quick and untimely passing.  We especially offer Colleen our prayers for strength and eventual healing.

I will especially miss Val's recounting of the experiences of his most recent travels around the world.  Maybe, he is now exploring a bigger realm.

Sincerely,

Rosa and Curtis Toews   



Having known Val ever since high school days, I am grateful for the time that he was among us all in this world. He was a unique, intelligent, talented, fun and wonderful person.  My sincere sympathy goes out to Coleen and all Val's family. I'm so sorry to hear of his passing. What a huge loss. So sad. May the good memories we all have of him, help us to treasure what time we were able to spend with him. 



We offer our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Colleen. We pray that the love you two shared comfort you and fill your heart in the most compassionate way. And to the family, that your memories of Val always bring a smile to your face knowing how much he filled and contributed your lives.



I cannot express how sorry I am for Colleen's loss. I only know of a couple of relationships that ran as deep as Val and Colleen's, soulmate is an appropriate term. Val was a very gentle, kind, and multifaceted being. The world is a better place because he was a part of it. It was a true privilege to know Val on a personal level. He will be dearly missed. 



While I only knew Val a couple of years as an LBB colleague, he endeared me to him when I asked what great adventure he was off to one weekend and he said 'he was taking Colleen to a concert in Houston, not really his type of music, but she liked the band & that's what boyfriends do'. And I enjoyed seeing his smirky smile above his glasses as he proceeded about the day. My heartfelt sympathy & prayers to all his loved ones.



I only knew Val in a work capacity, for about a year and a half, but was deeply impressed by his knowledge, dedication, thoroughness, and helpfulness.  He guided me through confusion to understanding many times!  I could tell he cared very much about his work, the people around him, and the state of Texas as a whole.  I'm sure it was similar in his personal life.  My heart goes out to his loved ones for their loss.



I wanted to share a memory from way back, this must have been in the late 80s or early 90s, pre-LBB for Val as I recall.  I had a Little Brother (Gary, he is 35 now) in the Big Brothers program, who at the time was very interested in getting a snake; we used to visit the reptile stores in town on our outings.  Well somehow this came up in chatting with Val, as we shared and interest in biology and critters, and he quickly volunteered to pass along a nice big aquarium to Gary.  I recall going with Gary to Val's apartment off Riverside and him helping us carry this huge aquarium out, which Gary enjoyed for many years thereafter.  Val was generous and wonderful with Gary, and I always remembered that interaction very fondly.  He will be sorely missed.



As a friend of Colleen's, my heart goes out both to her and to Val's family for this tragic loss. I'm very sorry that I never got to meet Val -- by all accounts, he was a wonderful man and we are all poorer for his absence.



Our thoughts and prayers go out to Colleen and all the family. We are so saddened by the loss of Val. He will be dearly missed. With deepest sympathy and all our love.



My deepest sympathies are extended to the family and friends of Val Shepperd.  Val was one of the "good guys."



It is almost impossible to comprehend the loss. Our hearts weep for his Soul Mate, Mother, Brothers, and Sister and for the extended family who mourn his untimely departure. Sympathy and Love.



Fantastic photo to choose for this page (I'm guessing you chose it, Colleen). A full life cut too short. We are thinking of you every day, Colleen. XOXO, Katie



The pictures from your travels with Colleen reminds me what a beautiful world we live in. Thanks for that...



My love and prayers go out to the Shepperd family and Val's loved ones.  Over the years I have always enjoyed hearing about his adventures via Leah and Nori.  He will be greatly missed.



I will always remember Val by the stories that he told and by just being able to visit with him and Colleen when they came to visit. He will be missed.



Val was an adventurous person.   He and Colleen enjoyed traveling and sharing their travels with family and friends.

Val  will be missed and Colleen is in our thoughts and prayers.

Love,
Elizabeth



I had the pleasure of working across the hall from Val for the last year and a half.  He worked hard and was very dedicated.  I believe he did everything full throttle!  He and Colleen shared the pictures of their vacation in Jordan and Egypt with me and I will always think of him as I enjoy looking at them again and again!  We will all miss him and offer your our deepest sympathy.



We are so sorry for your loss.  Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.


OBITUARY

Val Shepperd

November 8, 1959 – August 22, 2010

Weed Corley Fish Funeral Homes and Cremation Services

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