1930
Donald
2011
Donald Shepherd
April 19, 1930 — December 25, 2011
Donald Joseph Shepherd , 81 left for his heavenly home on Christmas morning from Carolina East Hospital in New Bern,NC.
Mr. Shepherd is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Rosa Lee Mason Shepherd of Newport: five children Violet Marie Shepherd Githens and husband Greg of Newport, Mary Ellen Shepherd Gould and husband Gary of Morehead ,Vincent Paul Shepherd, and Milton Joseph Shepherd of the home, Eva Marline Shepherd Norris and husband Jim. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Sierra Maria Pilotto and husband Tony of Unionville,NC, Michael Shawn Gould and wife Laura of Newport, Lorna Beth Goodnight of Denver, CO and James Todd Norris of Newport: great grand children Kyle Pilotto, Garrett Pilotto and Ayden Pilotto of Unionville, NC:sister Margaret Jenkins and husband James of Washington, IL and brother Tom Shepherd of Springfield, IL Nephews John Michael Shepherd of San Francisco and William Shepherd of Palm Beach, FL. Patrick Shean and Jason Shean both of CA.
Mr. Shepherd was born on April 19,1930 in Cairo, Illinois. He attended St. James Trade School in Springfield, IL to train as a meat cutter. He joined the Marine Corps at 17 and defended our country’s freedom in Korea. He was one of The Chosen Few. He went on to answer his countrys call to fight in Vietnam twice. He had a long and distinguished career in the United States Marine Corps. He was an expert marksman and served on the pistol team. He reached the rank of Gunny Sgt. And retired with Honor from the Marine Corps in 1971. After retirement he settled with his family in Newport. He served his community as a fireman and helped anyone he could. His love of the corps took him to Cherry Point to do landscaping. In 1985 he became the base gardner. After seeing the world in war time and peace his love of the beauty he saw stayed with him. He was always planting things and teaching his family how to make things grow. When he could no longer plant he still loved to see the beauty God had spread along the way for all to see.
As Mr. Shepherd made his journey from his earthly home to his heavenly home he was met by his mother Mary Beatrice Shepherd who he had not seen since his early childhood, his father Calvin and step-mother Lucille Shepherd, His brother and friend John Shepherd, and his grandson Josiah Goodnight who showed him all the mud puddles. Together they attended the most wonderful party to celebrate his arrival and the birthday of their lord and savior.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00am Thursday at St. Egbert's Catholic Church and visitation will be one hour prior to the service.
Mr. Shepherd is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Rosa Lee Mason Shepherd of Newport: five children Violet Marie Shepherd Githens and husband Greg of Newport, Mary Ellen Shepherd Gould and husband Gary of Morehead ,Vincent Paul Shepherd, and Milton Joseph Shepherd of the home, Eva Marline Shepherd Norris and husband Jim. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Sierra Maria Pilotto and husband Tony of Unionville,NC, Michael Shawn Gould and wife Laura of Newport, Lorna Beth Goodnight of Denver, CO and James Todd Norris of Newport: great grand children Kyle Pilotto, Garrett Pilotto and Ayden Pilotto of Unionville, NC:sister Margaret Jenkins and husband James of Washington, IL and brother Tom Shepherd of Springfield, IL Nephews John Michael Shepherd of San Francisco and William Shepherd of Palm Beach, FL. Patrick Shean and Jason Shean both of CA.
Mr. Shepherd was born on April 19,1930 in Cairo, Illinois. He attended St. James Trade School in Springfield, IL to train as a meat cutter. He joined the Marine Corps at 17 and defended our country’s freedom in Korea. He was one of The Chosen Few. He went on to answer his countrys call to fight in Vietnam twice. He had a long and distinguished career in the United States Marine Corps. He was an expert marksman and served on the pistol team. He reached the rank of Gunny Sgt. And retired with Honor from the Marine Corps in 1971. After retirement he settled with his family in Newport. He served his community as a fireman and helped anyone he could. His love of the corps took him to Cherry Point to do landscaping. In 1985 he became the base gardner. After seeing the world in war time and peace his love of the beauty he saw stayed with him. He was always planting things and teaching his family how to make things grow. When he could no longer plant he still loved to see the beauty God had spread along the way for all to see.
As Mr. Shepherd made his journey from his earthly home to his heavenly home he was met by his mother Mary Beatrice Shepherd who he had not seen since his early childhood, his father Calvin and step-mother Lucille Shepherd, His brother and friend John Shepherd, and his grandson Josiah Goodnight who showed him all the mud puddles. Together they attended the most wonderful party to celebrate his arrival and the birthday of their lord and savior.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00am Thursday at St. Egbert's Catholic Church and visitation will be one hour prior to the service.
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