B.F. Shepherd's Obituary
B.F. SHEPHERD
Benjamin F. "Shep" Shepherd was born July 3, 1916 in Memphis, Texas to Benjamin F. Shepherd, Sr. and Barbara Allen Shepherd.
He joined his Maker on March 4, 2009.
Memorial service will be held at 4 PM on Saturday, March 7, 2009 in First Christian Church, Longview with Dr. Richard Emerson, Dr. Jim Lewis, and Reverend David Farmer officiating.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Rader Funeral Home, Longview. Entombment will follow at Lakeview Memorial Mausoleum. Pallbearers will be members of First Christian Church. Honorary pallbearers will be all members of the Cornerstone Class.
Shepherd attended Memphis High School and attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock.
In 1934 he became assistant manager of ladies and infants apparel at JC Penney in Oklahoma City. He moved in 1939 to Borger, TX, to become the Department Store Manager of CR Anthony. In Borger he served as president of the Jaycees.
In 1941 he became the advertising manager for the Amarillo Times Newspaper and was elected president of the Jaycees.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1941 to 1945 becoming a Lieutenant in the Medical Administrative Corp.
He went back to Amarillo in 1945 opening Shepherd Printing Co. where he met and married Marjorie, the love of his life, and his life long partner. They celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary on December 24, 2008. He served as Executive Vice-President of the Texas Jaycees from 1952 to 1954 in Grand Prairie. They moved in August of 1954 to Longview with their two sons Richard and Jay Cee. Shepherd had taken on the responsibility of General Manager of the McWilliams Furniture Stores, a position he held until the stores were sold to an investor group in 1971. The Texas retail Furniture Dealers Assn. named Shep runner-up for Retailer of the Year 1970.
He was much in demand as a dinner speaker and master of ceremonies. He was a leader in every professional, fraternal, civic and religious group with which he was associated. He was an active member of Downtown Kiwinas Club for many years and served as director in Longview Chamber of Commerce and United Way for several years.
He was designated as Elder for Life at First Christian Church. He taught the Cornerstone Class for 30 years and served as a Stephen's Minister.
Marjorie and Shep were avid round and square dancers. They served as Presidents of the Oil Patch Promenaders 1995-1997.
Shep was one of five persons who organized the East Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, in 1965. He was president in 1969. He retired as director after 37 years consecutive service. He was recognized as Director Emeritus September 2002. At the same event he received the "Community Champion" award from the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug abuse.
Shep was motivator for the organizing of the East Texas Chapter of Alcohol and Drug Counselors and served as president the first two years, 1970-72. He was president of the Texas Association Of Addiction Counselors 1981-83 and was the original inductee to their "Hall of Fame" in 1990. Hew was honored as "Employee of the Year 1989 by the Sabine Valley Centers. Shepherd retired in 1991 at age 75.
The International Certification Reciprocity Consortium presented Shep with The ACE award for "Outstanding, Unique, Continuous Participation and Leadership Contributions of and to the Professionalization and Standardization of Requirements for Certification of Addictions Counselors: State, Nationally and Internationally," Rapid City, South Dakota May 1, 1992.
Shep was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Ronnie J. and Don E.
He often said that his greatest mortal joy, asset and treasure was his family. He is survived by his loving wife, sons Richard Rick and Anna Maria Shepherd of Longview, Rev. Jay and Vivian Shepherd of Longview. Grand Children Alicia and Jay Wilson of Pace, FL., Benjamin and Jackie Shepherd of Longview, TX., Leslie and Paul Marsh of Longview, TX. Jamin and Lilah Shepherd of Denton, TX., and Sarah Shepherd of Longview, TX.
Great Grand Children Grant, Caroline, Claire Wilson, Lily Anna and Cy Shep Marsh, and Marta Gianna Shepherd.
Sister-in-Law Joy and spouse Floyd Thomason, of Tucson, AZ, brother-in-law Gary and spouse Mary Allen of Arpin, WI.
Nieces: Janice Turner of Lubbock, TX, Annette Gaines of Georgetown, TX, Sondra Johnson of White Oak, TX., Donice Ronald, Alameda, CA.
Nephew Rondon Shepherd, Ft. Worth, TX., and many treasured friends.
The family wishes to offer special thanks to Dr. C. Randy Martin.
Memorial Contributions may be made in Honor of Mr. Shepherd to: First Christian Church of Longview, Property Fund or Building Fund.
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