Donald Eugene Shepard
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On May 9, 2016, Donald Eugene Shepard, Age 80, entered the welcoming arms of Our Lord and Savior after a courageous battle with melanoma cancer on the same day he was born, May 9, 1936. Donald was born in Lawrence, KS and is the son of Eugene Rollie and Ethelyn Emma (Frey) Shepard.
Don served his Country in the United States Marine Corp as Sergeant for three years. When Don returned from the Corp, in 1959 he began his career with District 60, which eventually became the Unified School District 497, Lawrence, KS. Don started his career with the school district as a Custodian at West Junior High School. Don’s work ethic, intelligence and his service leadership spirit positioned and prepared him to make history as the First Black Supervisor in the State of Kansas, as the Transportation Supervisor, of the Lawrence School District – #497, and as a member of Kansas State Pupil Transportation Association.
Don retired from the school district in 1974 and started his second career with Farmland Industries, where he worked for 25 years and retired in 1999. Don continued to drive activity buses for the Lawrence School District in excess of 40 years on a part-time basis.
Don was a lifelong resident of Lawrence, KS and was highly committed to serving his community. His mantra was – Kindness a quote by William Penn (1644-1718), “I expect to pass through life but once. If, therefore, there may be any kindness I can show, or any good things I may do to any fellow being, let me do it now and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.”
Which leads to his many honors and citations: North Lawrence Improvement Association – For Exceptional Contributions, Woodlawn School PTA – “For Faithful & Loyal Support”, Woodlawn School PTA Co-Presidents, Lawrence USD 497- The Good Apple Award, 1984, Lawrence USD 497 Outstanding Citizen Award for “Outstanding service and dedication to the students and staff of USD 497, 1984-85, Lawrence Kiwanis Club – Substantial Citizen for 1992, Recognition and Appreciation for Community Leadership”, Kansas African American Legislative Caucus Foundation, September, 2000, Douglas County Traffic Advisory Committee, Chairman Lawrence Grant Review Board, Farmland Industries Community Advisory Program, USD 497 Facilities Planning Committee, Two-Terms-Lawrence Traffic Commission, Lawrence Human Relations Commission, Financial Board of St. Luke A.M.E., Steward at St. Luke, A.M.E. and lifelong choir member at St. James A.M.E. and St. Luke A.M.E.
He married Ermal Jean Estelle October 18, 1957 in Lawrence. He endearingly called her his “Bride”. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include his daughter, Julie Dianne Lane and husband, Gilbert H., Kansas City, MO; his son, Charles Eugene Shepard and wife, Lissa, McKinney, TX; five grandchildren, Jessica Colon, Catherine Shepard, Jolie Shepard, Caleb Shepard, Collin Shepard; and one great grandchild, Jordan; one sister, Cleo Jeannette Jackson and husband, Greg, Lenexa, KS; two brothers, Steven Clark Shepard and wife, Ruth, Centennial, CO and William Hays Shepard and wife, Shang, Lawrence; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, James Rollie Shepard; and grandchild, Enrique Antonio Colon, III in 2006.
The family will greet friends from 4 – 6 p.m. Sunday, May 15, 2016 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. Funeral Service will be held on Monday, May 16, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the historic St. Luke A.M.E. Church, located at 9th & New York.
Memorials may be made in his name to the St. Luke A.M.E. Church and may be sent in care of the Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
Ermal and family, we were so sorry to hear of your loss. Don was an amazing man and we know how committed you were to each other. The best thing is knowing you will see him again in heaven. God bless you all.
Ermal and family, we were very sorry to hear about your loss. Don was an amazing man and very committed everything he did. I still remember the day he retired for First Student. He will be greatly missed by many. We will be thinking about you and praying for you during this difficult time.
Hi so sorry to hear about my friend don.sure will miss his great smile
Don always made me laugh. He was a kind warm person.He is there
with daddy Charlie Mills telling stories. If I can help let me know.
Love you. Debbie Harry Jason and Chris Shafer
I am sorry to hear of Mr. Shepard’s passing. He was the custodian at West when I was a student. A very kind person, always with a smile. Many years later, when my son began delivering newspapers, he was also helpful and kind to him.
Dear Ermal and family:
Don will be missed by so many members of this community! He was always such a pleasure to visit with–he had a wonderful sense of humor and story. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. Please know you are in my thoughts.
Sincerely, Karen Roberts
Don was wonderful colleague and friend. He always had a smile on his face and a kind word. He will be missed the children of Lawrence were benefited by his faithful service. We all are endeted to Don for his military service.
Don touched the lives of many lucky employees at the Lawrence Public Library. His great smile was infectious and is missed dearly. Best wishes to his family.
My prayers go out to his family That is a great loss i was one of them bad kids that was on his bus when i was little and he would keep me in linr as i grew up when he would see me he would tell me about hoe i would cut up on his bus loved him like he was my family
Mrs. Ermal, I am so sorry to hear about Don. I will always treasure all the fond memories from First Student. I always admired how after all the years that you were married he still lit up when he talked about you.May you find peace and comfort in all your memories.
May God help guide you thru this difficult time. I thought the world of Don. He always seemed to watch out for us girls when we was younger. Sending prayers n lots of love to the family
Dear Ermal and family, we send our deepest sympathies and condolences! Know that we will miss him more than you know! I will miss his genuine smile and his great sense of humor! Some days I didn’t think I wanted to work but I would get there and he would come tell me something funny or a joke and brighten my day!! You are the perfect couple and the world will be less bright without him! Ermal know that I will always think of you both as the best part of this world! I have only great memories of both of you! Please let me know if I can ever do anything for you! God bless and keep you!!
Don was one of the most genuinely nice people I’ve ever met. He always had a pleasant demeanor that I truly respected! I loved working with Don and Ermal. Their love for each other should be a template for all to be modeled. Don was a great man that I really looked up to. Thanks for being part of my life. I love you Ermal.
I thank God for the life and legacy of Mr. Shepard. He was a true trailblazer in the Lawrence Community. He will truly be missed. Thank you family for sharing a precious gift with us all. You are in my heart & prayers. He’s resting in the arms of Jesus. Oh what a reunion we’ll have one day! Keep your eyes on Jesus and may comfort you all in the days ahead. I love yall so much.
Don Shepard was a good friend to many. I will always remember his dedication to the task at hand and his commitment to his family, the school district, his job, youth in the community, and to work that he did behind the scenes to help recruit good leaders for our City Commission. Don had the ability and dedication to always seek, “the good of the whole”. He had a winning smile and laugh because he loved and enjoyed life. He will be missed by his family, his many friends, his community, and me.
We lost a good man. We won’t forget him anytime soon.
RIP my friend i had the privilege of working with Don at first student. Don was the sweetest man and always smiling. He will be greatly missed by alot of people including me. My thoughts and prayers are with him and family and friends.
To Mrs. Sheperd and family. We are sending our prayers and condolences during your time of grief. Mr. Shepherd always had a smile and encouraging words. May God provide comfort and solace during this time.
RIP Don. It is always sad to lose a classmate. You had a wonderful life and made your family and friends proud. My thoughts and prayers and with the many family members and friends who miss you. It was a pleasure to read such an amazing obituary. Don touched so many people.
Don will be missed. I meet him on the bus rides for Lawrence High Football games in 1966 & 1967. He would come by my parents store ( Ben Franklin) to talk to my father / dad was a Marine also. We talked whenever our paths would cross. I made it a point to set at his table when he came to the annual Kiwanis Substantial Citizen Award program each year. Don was honored with this award in 1992. Rest in Peace Don.
I first knew who Don was when we both worked at Callery Chemicl plant. I would see Don around town, and it was always like seeing an old friend.
Well done, good and faithful servant.
Shepard Family,
We are saddened by the loss of our dear friend and neighbor, Don and will miss him dearly. He provided many years of leadership and service to our students and school community, laying a strong foundation from which we continue to build upon each day. Thank you for everything, and rest well friend!
So sorry to hear about Don. I always enjoyed seeing him. My sympathies to the family.
Don’s devotion to public service is how I met him. He served on several city boards that I worked with and through those experiences I learned what a warm, generous man, Don was. Even after we both went our separate ways, whenever we ran into each other Don’s graciousness, smile and genuine friendly spirit always made me feel special~ when it was actually Don who was special! He will be missed by many in the community.
My deepest sympathies and prayers go out to you, Ermal, and your lovely family. Don touched every member of my family with his humor, goodness, and genuine regard for people. I had not seen him in recent years, but each time I saw him, it was like no time had passed. He will be truly missed by many. May your many wonderful memories bring you all some peace at this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Mona Hargadine
What joy and blessing Don brought to every encounter. He unabashedly proclaimed Jesus Christ as his saviour. The last time we visited he looked me in the eye and said “I’ll see you on the other side.” Amen, brother!
Simply put….Don Shepard was the coolest guy around..
He will be missed.
Dear Shepard family, I have not been around Lawrence for quite some time. I always held Don in GREAT regard. I knew him through my father Harold, dealing with the school buses. I always enjoyed being around When Don was around. I regret just finding out Sunday evening of his passing. Wish I would have known sooner. I would have come down. My heart felt condolences go out to your family. Jarold
What a fine gentleman and citizen of Lawrence Don was. We became friends when he dependably drove my two children to their schools in the 60s and 70s. In following years I’d see Don occasionally, and he would always greet me with that wonderful smile and friendly manner. He brightened everyone’s day. My sincere sympathy to his wife and family.
Beverly Mayer
We always enjoyed the chance to get to visit with Don. He was a very special person and never missed the opportunity to share a laugh or funny story. We will miss him. We will keep all the family members in our thoughts and prayers.
Just a wonderful person. Always in an upbeat mood. He was able to make everyone’s day a little better. I will miss him.
Dear Ermal ,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you & your family.