Courtesy of ShelbyCountyToday.Com

Edward Marion "Shep" Shepherd, 93, died on December 10th, 2015 in Lufkin, Texas. Funeral services are planned for 2:00pm on Sunday, December 13th, 2015 at the First Baptist Church, Timpson. Visitation will be Sunday Dec 13, 2015 at 1pm.

Shepherd was born on May 23, 1922 in the New Prospect Community in Shelby County, Texas, the only child to Richard Lee Shepherd and Willie Ramsey Shepherd. He grew up on the family farm and attended the Buena Vista School. In 1939, he graduated from Timpson High School. For a year after graduation, he worked at Bussey's Drug Store before starting classes at Stephen F. Austin College in Nacogdoches.

War interrupted college. Shepherd was called into the service in 1943, serving in several assignments, before being discharged in 1946 with the rank of Sergeant.

After he left the Army, he returned to his studies at Stephen F. Austin, completing his degree in accounting 1947. He was one of the first three graduates to obtain a BBA in accounting from Stephen F. Austin University. In honor of this achievement, the University and College of Business established The Marion Shepherd Outstanding Principles Student Award.

In July 1947, he began his career with Sun Oil Company in Beaumont, Texas. His work with the company would take him to Philadelphia in 1965, where he served as the comptroller of Sun Pipe Line Company and manager of Transportation Financial Administration. Sun Company merged with Sunray DX in 1970, which took him to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he served as comptroller-treasurer. He worked for Sun Pipe Line Company until he retired in 1983. He returned to Timpson in 1992.

Shepherd married Mary Elizabeth "Beth" Hutcherson on August 29, 1947. The couple had two sons, George Edward Shepherd and Richard Croom Shepherd. Both sons were born in Beaumont and lived in both Philadelphia and Tulsa. George and Richard followed their father's exampled and served in the military.

Faith was an important part of Shepherd's life. His favorite Bible verse was Isaiah 41:10: "Fear not, I am with you; be not dismayed, I am your God. I will strengthen you, and help you, and uphold you with my right hand of justice." While living in Beaumont, he was ordained a deacon. When the family moved to Tulsa, he was active in the First Baptist Church, and after returning to Timpson, he served on the board at the First Baptist Church.

Work and faith weren't the only things that defined him. He understood civic responsibility and served as a city councilor in Timpson for one term. He knew the value of family. He traveled across the country to see his grandchildren. He enjoyed playing golf and spending time in the outdoors with his sons and grandsons.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

Shepherd is survived by:
His wife

Sons: 
George Shepherd, and wife, Pamela of Cushing, Okla.
Richard Shepherd, and wife, Angela of Peachtree City, Georgia

Grandchildren: 
Ginger Lea Shepherd, and husband, Joe Palluconi of Hood River, Ore.
Edward Eugene Shepherd of Cushing, Okla.
Meredith Wyndham Shepherd of Charlotte, N.C.
Nathan Edward Shepherd, Pensacola, Fla.

One great- grandson Jase Edward Palluconi of Hood River, Ore.