Charles Raymond Shepardson

Dr. Charles Raymond Shepardson MD, 93, a resident of Allegro of Hyde Park (Tampa), was reunited with his wife of 54 years, Jan Shepardson, upon his passing on Tuesday evening (Oct. 4, 2022). Jan passed away on February 27, 2012. Ray was a caring, compassionate, generous, honest, and loyal man who lived a long and successful life. He loved reading and was a life long scholar.

He was born in Elmira, N.Y., on Aug. 17, 1929. Ray was a doctor of internal medicine for 41 years in Champaign, Illinois where he operated a successful private practice until his retirement in 1999. He was loved by his patients. Ray graduated from Harvard University (undergraduate) in 1951 and then served in the Navy from 1951 to 1954. He attended and graduated from the University of Rochester Medical School, Rochester, N.Y. in 1958. He completed medical internship at University Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. On June 30, 1957, he married Jeanette (Jan) A Leffingwell, who also attended Rochester Medical School in nursing. Ray and Jan spent a year in Scotland before returning to Cleveland and then relocating his family to Champaign, Illinois where he resided until February of 2016.

In 1979, Cole Hospital’s ICU was named in his honor, and he served as President of the Champaign County Medical Society in 1989. Throughout their lives, Ray & Jan financially supported various impoverished children around the world. They also hosted many international U of I students over their years in Champaign-Urbana. In addition to being very active in their community, Ray & Jan were long time, active members of Wesley United Methodist Church, avid travelers, and frequent Krannert Center concert attendees.

He is survived by sons, Tom Shepardson (Denise) of Tampa, Ted Shepardson (Shannon) of Coldstream, British Columbia (Canada), and Paul Shepardson (Lorna) of Bellingham, Washington; and five grandchildren, Tom (31), Katie (28), Weston (15), Athena (21) and Orion (18).