Jim Shepherd passed away peacefully, Saturday, November 10, 2018, surrounded by his loving family, and the care and support of Hospice Circle of Love. The rosary and visitation will be 6:30pm Tuesday, November 13, 2018 at Henninger-Hinson Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00am Wednesday, November 14, 2018 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church with Father Mark Mason officiating. Graveside services will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Henninger-Hinson Funeral Home.
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Jim was born July 27, 1927 in Enid to Edgar and Lillian (Milacek) Shepherd. Jim was the only one of his siblings to be born in a hospital, as his other siblings were born at the family home in Goltry, Oklahoma. He was preceeded in death by his parents and sisters, Larose Masters-Swartz; Bonnie (Warren) Donovan; Betty (Bob) Bauer; and brother, David Shepherd. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Jeanette (Rich); children, Jim R. of Naples, FL; Connie (Steve) Attard of Temperance, MI; Rick (Rose Mary) of Cleo Springs; Doug Harris of Enid; Stephen (Lupita) of McAllen, TX; seven grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, June Shepherd of Dunn Loring, VA; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Mike and Linda Flennigen of Liberal, KS as well as many nieces and nephews.
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When Jim was 17, his mother signed her permission so that he could join the United States Navy. He went to San Diego, California for boot camp, followed by landing craft training on Coronado Island, and rifle training at the marine base at Camp Pendleton.
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Jim left California on Troop Ship #APA-180 headed to the Japanese island of Okinawa. After the invasion of Okinawa, he was supposed to take troops to the invasion of Japan, but with the dropping of the atomic bomb, Japan surrendered. Jim then went to Shanghai, China, where he was assigned to an LST (Landing Ship, Tank) as a welder. He served on the US Ulysses ARB-9 (amphibious Repair Base), which had a complete machine shop, repairing ships.
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In May 1946, Jim returned to Enid. He went to summer school and earned enough credits to graduate with St. Joseph High School class of 1946. He then attended Enid Business College. For many years, he worked at McClellan Motor Supply, but in 1960 he moved to Liberal, Kansas to work at Woolwine Automotive as a salesman, and later as the manager. He continued as manager, when the store became Big-A Auto Parts.
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In Liberal, Jim belonged to VFW Post 3166, where he served as Quartermaster and Commander. He attended several VFW Conventions. At the time of his death, Jim was the oldest member, at 73 years, of the American Legion in Liberal.
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In 1992, Jim retired from Big-A Auto Parts. In 1996, he returned to Enid. He became active at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, the church of his early years. At St. Francis, he was an altar server, Communion Minister, and volunteer groundskeeper. He became a 4th degree Knight of Columbus.
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Jim was never one to be idle. After moving to Enid, he owned and operated J&J Tools, an impact tool repair shop. He also loved to volunteer at St. Mary's Hospital driving the Saint mobile. Every Wednesday, you could find Jim and Jeanette at Our Daily Bread preparing salads and other food. Jim loved spending time with his friends traveling, fishing, or just sharing a beer and visiting. His family loved coming home and being with him. He will be missed by many.
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In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be given to Our Daily Bread through the funeral home.
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Obituaries are posted due to the generosity of these sponsors...
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