He was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia to parents, Raymond and Dena (Campbell) Sheppard, grew up in Belpre, Ohio and lived most of his adult life in Fairfax County Virginia. Col. Sheppard joined the U.S. Army at age 17 during World War II and remained as active duty and reserved duty for the next 34 years. He served with the 300th Armored Artillery and received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star awards. Col. Sheppard completed his undergraduate work at Ohio State University; his Masters Degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and his PhD at the University of Illinois. Col. Sheppard worked as a chemist at the Food and Drug Administration.
After the death of his wife, he continued to raise his family and was very proud of the accomplishments of his children. Col. Sheppard was a member of the Presbyterian Church and for 67 years was a member of the American Legion Post 495 in Belpre, Ohio.
