Paul Edward Shepherd

Paul Edward Shepherd, 76, of Houston, passed away unexpectedly on February 17, 2020 at HCA Houston Healthcare Tomball.   He was preceded in death by sisters Brenda Shepherd of  Cumberland, MD, Helen M. Skelley of Thayer, MO; brothers James H. Shepherd, Jr of Cumberland, MD, and Robert L. Shepherd of Lacona, Iowa. Paul was born June 24, 1943 in Cumberland, MD to the late James Henry and Pearl (Robison) Shepherd.  After graduating from Allegany High School in 1961, Paul enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and proudly served his country during the Vietnam War as an aircraft mechanic, achieving the rank of Sergeant.  He resided in St. Charles, MO following his honorable discharge. Both divorced, Paul eventually met and married Viola Humphrey. The two lived happily in St. Charles for a number of years before relocating to Houston, TX in 1980.  After raising 3 children, Paul and Vi decided a change of scenery was needed and moved to Waxahachie, TX, where they lived for 15 years.  The couple celebrated their 45 ^th wedding anniversary in January. A lifelong bowler, Paul enjoyed spending his free time at the local lanes as well as competing in tournaments all around the United States.  He was also a fan of baseball and you could always find him cheering for the New York Yankees.  Following his retirement from Walgreens, he volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and employed at Life School in Red Oak until full retirement in 2017.  He also enjoyed traveling the country with his wife, Vi. Surviving in addition to his wife, Vi (Humphrey) Shepherd, are his son, James and daughter-in-law, Jennifer; step-daughters Melissa Talley and Melinda Martin; three grandchildren, Summer Kugler, Brittany Martin, and Isaiah Martin; great-grandchildren, Christian and Daisy Kugler; two sisters, Lucy Wagner and Carol VanMeter both of Cumberland, MD; sisters-in-law Velma Shepherd of Lacona, IA, and Delores Steele of Maricopa, AZ, and a host of nieces and nephews. To honor his military service, interment of ashes will be at Houston National Cemetery on April 17, 22020. In lieu of flowers, the family requests, with gratitude, donations be made in Paul’s name to The Veterans of Foreign Wars https://www.vfw.org/foundation/foundation-donate .   .