James Franklin Shepherd

James Franklin Shepherd, known to his friends as "Ol Shep", of Bowie, Md, age 97, passed peacefully from this life on August 30, 2026 from natural causes, surrounded by loving family members. He was born to Charlie and Bessie Shepherd in Smithtown in McCreary County, Kentucky.

Shep grew up in the Stearns Coal Mining Camps in McCreary County where his father worked.

Around age 17 in 1946, he decided to join the U.S. Navy and reported to the USS Hector, a repair ship that ultimately was stationed in China. Shep said he really enjoyed his time on the Hector in China.

After his honorable discharge in 1948, Shep was unable to find employment in Stearns, so he decided to walk into the first recruiting station he found which was the U.S. Army, although he later said he wished he had gone back into the Navy. He served with the Army Corp of Engineers both in Labrador and then in England. Shep said that it was easier to sail around a country than it was to march across one.

Shep met his wife Cammille and her son Carl Crammer in England and after his discharge from the Army in 1952, they moved to Indiana where they had their son Frank (with whom he lost touch for 50 years after their divorce because Frank was sent to England for about 8 years.

When Frank returned to the US, Frank was then adopted by his stepfather Jacob Adams so Shep couldn't find him through years of searching for him.)

Shep married his next wife affectionately called Rusty for her red hair.

Rusty had two daughters and they spent time together as a family. Rusty and Shep loved traveling the country on his motorcycle in their spare time.

One of the great tragedies in his life occurred in 1963 when Rusty and Shep were in Colorado riding the motorcycle with Rusty in the sidecar when a car crossed the middle of the road, striking Rusty, and she died in Shep's arms. Shep wound up in the hospital for several months after the accident. At the time Shep had been driving a Greyhound Bus during the season for 9 years.

While recovering he moved back to California. Later he married Mary and together they adopted 2 children. After their divorce, Shep and the children unfortunately lost touch until recently.

Shep was a cross country truck driver for 35 years before he had to retire for health reasons.

He became a civilian pilot which he thoroughly enjoyed and was a member of the American Legion, VFW, COOTIE of the United States, an honorary member of the Commemorative Air Force, and he attended many years of reunions for the US Hector AR-7, the last one was in 2024. Shep was also quite a motorcycle enthusiast.

Shep mentioned one time that there was a rumor he had been married around 20 times and he said to be honest, he didn't keep track. Shep had an enjoyable sense of humor.

After being married and divorced a few more times he married one of the great loves of his life, Clare, and they lived in California for about 10 years before she passed in 2013. Clare had a beautiful daughter named Sheri and she and Shep (she called him Dad) have remained close all these years.

Shep had three biological sons and two biological daughters, plus two adopted children, and four stepchildren, all of whom he claimed as his own.

Ol Shep leaves behind his son Frank Adams (Ann and grandson Randy), of Bowie, Md, with whom he lived for the last 10 years or so.

Carl Crammer unfortunately passed years ago.

He leaves grandchildren Holly Miller (Terry) and Cort Bossert (Renee) of Maryland and great granddaughter Cammille Rose who is in her second year at the US Naval Academy who says Grandpa Shep's stories of being a pilot makes her want to become a Navy pilot.

Son Don Shepherd and daughter Vicky Murdock of Ft. Payne, Alabama, both have children and grandchildren.

Sheri Soro (Wally) has three children and several grandkids and lives in California.

Cousin Joe Gentry of Stearns, KY,

Cousin Johnnie (Loy) McLaughlin of Lancaster, VA

Friend Kimberly Ball Coffey of Whitley City, KY

Friend Lois Hoosier and her daughter Jennifer of Campbellsville, KY

Friend Betsy Tryon of Glen Burnie, MD

Shep had so many friends that we cannot list them all whom he communicated with regularly via phone calls and cards, especially at Christmas when Shep mailed out his Cowboy Prayer cards every year to all of his friends.

Shep will be remembered for his amazing memory, particularly his family history and photographs. That man told the most amazing and interesting stories! We were in awe of him.

Shep is loved and missed every day. May his name be a blessing to all who knew him.