Joe Glen Shepherd died on October 2nd, 2017 at the lovely Hospice facility in Port Orange, Florida. Joe was born a mile north of Hume, Missouri on a farm to Glen Louis and Meryl Beatrice Shepherd on January 10, 1927. He attended Hume Elementary and Rich Hill High School, graduating in 1944. He didn't know how to drive a car until later in life, but he did learn how to pilot an airplane. He had a pilot's license so after graduation, he signed up with The Army Air Corps. On June 6, 1944 he was sent to the ASTRAP (pre-cadet training program) at Washington University in St. Louis via passenger train. All of the seats were occupied so he traveled in the baggage car. He wasn't called to serve until June of 1945 and did his basic training at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, Mississippi. Joe was sent to Typing School in Denver, Colorado because the Army Air Corps had enough pilots; from there he was sent to Stockton AFB in California. He traveled on an old train that had a pot-bellied stove in the center of the car and a sign carved in wood saying: "No shooting Indians from the train". On Thanksgiving Day, in 1945, he was sent by troop ship to Manilla Bay. It took the ship 30 days arrive. He was transported by Philippine train to Clark AFB where he served as Sergeant in the 13th Air Force. He was acting Sergeant-Major and was there when the Philippines received their Independence. Joe retired from Boeing after 20 years and Fairchild Space & Electronics with the Apollo program in Washington, D.C. He worked in the Accounting and Cost Control Department.

He is predeceased by his wife of 48 years, Leila Grace and daughters Glenda Jo and Cynthia Jo. He is survived by daughter Catherine, who was his loving caregiver for the last 14 months of his life, and sons, Craig (Amy), Kevin (Marci), and Curtis (Stacy), twelve grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren. He also leaves to mourn his passing, his wife of 19 years, Barbara Lampert Shepherd and her five children, twelve grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

He was a member of The First United Methodist Church of Port Orange, where he sang in the choir for many years. He was also a member of the American Legion and the Democratic Party. He loved to read, especially non-fiction books. Joe loved to travel and he loved playing bridge. He was an honest, kind, witty, and considerate man who was a loving husband, father and friend. He enjoyed both family and friends and loved each member of his own and of Barbara's family.

Memorial donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Port Orange, Choir Fund or the Building Fund. A service will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Port Orange, Florida, 305 Dunlawton Avenue. Port Orange, Florida 32127 on Friday, October 6th, 2017 at 11:00 AM followed by a luncheon in the Fellowship Hall. Condolences may be shared through Lohman Funeral Home Port Orange Guest Book at www.lohmanfuneralhome.com.