Mr. Richard Lee Shepherd, age 65, of Lansing passed away Tuesday night, February 7, 2012 at his home. A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 10, 2012 at 2:00pm at Boone Family Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Dan Hess and Rev. Larry Shepherd officiating. A private burial will be held at the Shepherd Family Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:30-8:00pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012 at Boone Family Funeral Home. Richard was born Tuesday, September 2, 1946 to Lillie & Grady Shepherd in Jefferson, NC. He was the middle child between Barbara & Bruce. He grew up among a loving extended family of aunts and uncles, many cousins, countless friends and neighbors. Richard enjoyed swinging on vines on School House Hill, playing Little League baseball and basketball at Lansing High School, where he graduated at the top of his class in 1964. With the help of the Sprague Electric scholarship, he attended Appalachian State Teacher's College (later Appalachian State University), where he earned his BS in 1968 and Master's Degree in Business Administration in 1969. Richard was preceded in death by his father Grady in 1987 and his mother, Lillie in 2003; a great niece, Rebekah Ellen Laws, and dear friends Bill Tucker and Bernard Calhoun. They are welcoming him with open arms to Heaven; Grady is patting him on the back for a job on earth well done. In August 1970, Richard married Catherine Jeanne Warren of Tarboro, NC, a transplant to Ashe County, via ASU. Her family home at Kure Beach has been a joy as a vacation spot as well as a "fixer upper" to which he gave his boundless energy. Soon after he (and others) finished building their only home, Richard and Cathy's first child was born: Warren, followed shortly by Rena (the apple of her daddy's eye), Leigh Anne and Mary Catherine. Richard worked for 31 years as the Human Resources Director at Thomasville Furniture Industries in West Jefferson. He also refereed high school basketball and football for 20+ years. He served his community on the boards of Blue Ridge Electric, Ashe Memorial Hospital, First Citizens Bank, Ashe Chamber of Commerce, Ashe County School Board, Ashe County Christmas Tree Festival, Boy Scout Troop 230 Scoutmaster, Optimist Club, Northwest Ashe Sports and Band Booster, known as the "tee-shirt man" who provided screen printed tee shirts as memorabilia for dozens of occasions. Richard retired from Thomasville Furniture in 2001 and became a full-time fisherman, Christmas tree farmer, painter/handyman, and Grandpa. Richard's most important service was to his Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. He was an active member at Meadowview Mennonite Church, serving as a youth leader, Bible School ice cream man, enthusiastic bass singer and adult Sunday School teacher. Richard is survived by his loving best friend and wife of 42 years, Cathy; his son, Warren and wife, Erin Miller Shepherd, of West Jefferson; daughter, Rena Shepherd Farrelly and husband, John, of Plymouth; Leigh Anne Shepherd Wray and husband, Hal, of Durham; and Mary Catherine Shepherd of Raleigh. Six grandchildren: Graydon Luke Shepherd, Jack Warren Farrelly, Serena Lillie Wray, Elliot Lewis Wray, Oliver Davis Wray, and Isabella Raine Palermo. They will miss tussling and fishing with their Grandpa. Also surviving are his sister Barbara Shepherd Nichols and husband, Jim, of Millers Creek and brother Bruce Shepherd and wife, Pauline, of Lewisville. Numerous nephews and nieces on both sides of the family remember Uncle Richard's energy and vitality, grilling burgers at the cabin, jumping out to scare them from behind a Christmas tree, splashing in the ocean, snowball fights, and what fun he had "playing Santa." Richard is also survived by loving friends, neighbors, and members of his church family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Meadowview Mennonite Church, c/o Lynn Cline, 915 Fairview Church Road, Lansing, NC 28643.