Gordon Henry Shepardson, age 82 of Orlando (formerly Winter Park) passed away peacefully on June 13, 2018 and was surrounded by his extended family. Born in Pittsfield, MA on November 6, 1935 to Esther and Sanford Shepardson, he was the second of two children (preceded in death by his brother Sanford). He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Marilyn, four children Michael Shepardson, Timothy (Julie) Shepardson, Mary (Stan) Strickland and Kathleen (Barry) Shields along with twelve adoring grandchildren.
Growing up in Pittsfield, he was a high-spirited young man who lifeguarded in the summer, was an Altar Boy and aspired to be an Engineer. It was also during his time at Pittsfield High School that he met and courted Marilyn Deignan, a romance that would be sustained through college and endure for well over 60 years.
Following his high school graduation with distinction, he enrolled at Norwich University where his life-long love of aviation propelled him to complete his first solo flight in 1958. Upon graduation from Norwich with a BS in Civil Engineering, he entered the United States Army as a Lieutenant. He was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia where, as newlyweds, he and Marilyn began their family in 1960.
Following his 3 year tour of active duty, Gordon and Marilyn moved to Montpelier, VT where he began a 12 year career with the State of Vermont. As an Engineer in the Department of Transportation, Aviation Division, he was responsible for overseeing the construction of airports all over the state. He was also a member of the Vermont National Guard where he continued his upward trajectory in leadership roles. In 1968, he took a military leave and moved his family to Fort Rucker, AL where he became qualified to fly helicopters. This expansion of his skills led to his promotion to Major and he became the company Commander of the Fixed and Rotary Wing of the National Guard. He retired from the National Guard after a 30 year career in the US Army as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Growing weary of the cold weather and snow, in 1972 he moved his family to Tallahassee, FL with a similar position with the State of Florida in the Department of Transportation. In 1976, the Federal Aviation Administration came calling and he took a position overseeing airports throughout the Caribbean. The family moved to Winter Park, FL in 1983 where he ultimately retired from the FAA.
He seemed to stay busier in retirement as he embarked on his second career as a pool designer where he was prolific in creating plans and designs for pool manufacturers throughout Florida. He was also a member of the National Pool and Spa Institute.
Throughout his professional moves, he remained a devoted and committed Catholic and was a Knight in the Knights of Columbus, President of the Holy Name Society, a member of the Serra Club and the SMM Men’s Bible Study. He was also a lector at Mass and a server at daily Mass until he was 80.
As a very active member of St Margaret Mary Church in Winter Park, his funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, June 16 at 9:30am. Arrangements will be handled by Baldwin-Fairchild Goldenrod/Winter Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be sent to: American Hemochromatosis Society, @ www.americanhs.org.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18