Howard Raymond Shepherd

On January 23, 1941, in West Virginia, Howard Raymond “Harry” Shepherd, Sr. (Harry) (Glue Maker and Inventor) and Ledel Hope (Homemaker) were blessed with Howard Jr. He is the second eldest of one girl and five boys. Mr. and Mrs. Howard Raymond Shepherd, Sr. moved to Columbus, Ohio when Howard Jr. was just a child. Howard spent his high school years starring as a fullback on West High School's football team. After receiving his high school diploma, Howard enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. and was stationed at Camp Pendleton (California) in 1960. While there, he met his first love, Barbara Ann Reynolds of Los Angeles. The two were married on December 8, 1962 and later reassigned to Camp Concord, in California. Barbara became pregnant and, on September 19, 1964, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy named Darren Loren Shepherd while in Oakland, California. After receiving an honorable discharge from military service, Howard moved his family to Columbus, Ohio, in 1965. He immediately started his second career as a driver for Greyhound. In 1968, Howard suffered his first loss and became widowed. Soon after, Howard moved his family to Detroit, Michigan, where he continued his career at Greyhound and joined a golf and bowling league. He met his second love, Tommy Jean Williams, and remarried in 1970. In 1974, Howard and Tommy dissolved their marriage and, one year later, Howard met and married his third love, Margaret Duncombe. They conceived a healthy baby girl named Latasha Rosie Shepherd who was born on August 20, 1977. Howard and Margaret dissolved their marriage in 1978. Following his marriage to Margaret, Howard met is fourth love, Deborah Burns, whom he wed in 1979. In 1980, Howard moved his family to Benton Harbor, Michigan. In 1985, following the dissolution of his marriage to Deborah, Howard moved to Chicago, Illinois where he further advanced his career with Greyhound and resided for 17 years. Howard made his last and final move when he returned to Columbus, Ohio in 2002. Two years later, in February 2004, he retired from Greyhound as a Driving Instructor and AFL-CIO Union Stewardess for AFL-CIO. He was a strong advocate of protecting workmen’s rights and wages who dedication and commitment to Greyhound was reflected in his 39 years of service with the company. In his extended retirement, Howard enjoyed residing in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Keith Jerome Mason, Sr., where he remained until his transition. In 2014, Howard was diagnosed with kidney and prostate cancer; the disease went into remission but later returned in 2017. On October 9th, Howard suffered a massive heart attack in conjunction with a traumatic head injury. This resulted in Howard being placed on life support; however, with no signs of recovery, the support was removed on October 10, 2017. That same day, GOD called Howard Jr. home while at Grant Medical Center in Columbus. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Delores Del Rio Mason, Samuel Lee (Mickey) Shepherd, David Lee Shepherd, and Larry James Shepherd. Howard Raymond Shepherd, Jr. forever leaves behind his two children, Darren and Latasha; brother Frederick Marshall Shepherd; nephew and caregiver Keith Mason; a host of other loved ones and friends. Who He Was: Howard Jr. was a true reflection of God's Love, Mercy, and Grace. His captivating wisdom, sanguine personality, and gift of intuition, mesmerized and influenced others. His demonstrable submission to God was projected by how he carried himself and carried others. He was often referenced as “SHEP” meaning “The Good Shepherd.” His love for GOD earned him the title “Father of his Church” at Grace and Mercy Fellowship Center where he served as a member from 2009 until his home going.