Richard Raymond Shepperd

Life Reflections Richard Raymond Shepperd was the only child born to Edna (Dorsey) and William Shepperd in Kirkwood of St. Louis County, Missouri on July 22, 1928. His growth through the depression, segregation and World War II instilled a strong work ethic and a sense of loyalty in him. lie enjoyed hunting and fishing with his family and played football for his segregated Catholic high school. Richard graduated from St. Joseph High School in St. Louis, where he met Julia Johnson. They were married in 1947 and had three children in three years. After years of assignments at General Refractory, a brick manufacturer. Richard was one of the first five African-Americans hired in 1952 as an Extrusion Hand Former by McDonnell Aircraft (merged with Douglas Aircraft in 1967 and later purchased by Boeing in 1997). He also learned to repair radios and televisions by attending St. Louis University's courses on their technology. In 1955, he built a home in the African-American community of Meacham Park and expanded his family to seven children during his 22-years marriage to Julia. To his pastime interest of spectator sports like auto racing, boxing and wrestling, he added assembling model airplanes and race cars. By the time Richard retired in 1981, he had long been a skilled All-Around or "Double A" man who could perform all the functions to shape raw sheet metal by hand into necessary machined parts for McDonnell Douglas. Richard married again in 1981 to Minnie Pippins and together they enjoyed their retirement life of fishing and family. Between them, they had a multitude of grandchildren and great-grandchil-dren. Because of his advance in age, Richard relocated to Atlanta, GA and was cared for by his loving daughter, Wheella, a Regis-tered Nurse. He attended Living Word Christian Life Center with his family in. Atlanta. lie passed away in his sleep on November 17, 2016. Richard is survived by his wife; Minnie Shepperd; his children: Richcella Shepperd, Julia Sears, Maria Randell, Madeline Morgan (Jerone), Prince J. Shepperd, and Charlene Herndon; his stepchil-dren: Estelle, Rayford, Joe, Tommy, Hazel, Sharon, Deborah, Gary, Danny and Theresa; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other relatives. His fifth child, Rick Lavonte' (nee Richard Shepperd, Jr.) preceded him in death in 1994. Interment:Oak Dale Cemetery3900 Mt. Olive RoadSt. Louis, MO 63125 . Visitation Friday, Nov 25, 2016 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Williams-James Mortuary, Inc. - Chapel 1424 Dielman Road St. Louis, MO 63132 Funeral Service Friday, Nov 25, 2016 11:00 AM Williams-James Mortuary, Inc. - Chapel 1424 Dielman Road St. Louis, MO 63132