Joel Leroy Shepard, age 74, of Greenfield, MO, peacefully passed away at his home on May 4, 2018, surrounded by his family.
He was born in Springfield, MO, the 2nd child of Gearold and Vivian (Hughes) Shepard. His parents were both ordained Assembly of God ministers, which caused the family to move numerous times in their young years.
Joel joined the United States Navy a few days after his 17th birthday and served his country proudly during the years of the Cuban Missile Crisis and early Vietnam.
After the service, he met and married Patricia Butler of Odessa, MO and they were blessed with 43 years of marriage and three children. After Patricia passed away, Joel married Sandy Shepard from Stockton.
Joel loved to laugh and have fun and enjoyed life to the fullest. He loved hot rods, motorcycles, and playing golf. He was the Greenfield Chief of Police in the early 70's, and also worked a number of years at O'Sullivan's in Lamar. Joel was the head of security at the MRC in Mt Vernon when he retired in 2003.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Gearold and Vivian Shepard; his wife, Patricia Shepard; and two sisters, Sharon Rust and Dinah Shepard.
Survivors include his wife, Sandy Shepard of the home; one son, Steve Shepard and wife Angie of Dadeville, MO; four daughters, Tammy Saunders and husband John of Neosho, MO, Danielle Reynolds and husband Chad of Lockwood, MO; Brandy Cantwell and husband Rob of Fair Grove, MO, and Victoria Shackleford and husband Clay of Fort Smith, AR; one brother, Danny Shepard and wife Patricia of Cherry Valley, NY; twenty grandchildren, Kinsey Palmquist and husband Jim, Kylee, Taylor, and Hayden Shepard, Brock, Lauren, Dalton, and Kati Jones, Garrett, Adam and wife Becky, and Kayleigh Saunders, Olivia and Hayden Houk, Hannah, Madison, Emma, and Moriah Coose, Colt Reynolds, and Dylan and Jordan Shackleford; and thirteen great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 10, 2018, at Greenfield Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the funeral chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to a veteran’s organization of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be shared at www.greenfieldfuneralchapel.com. Services are under the care of Greenfield Funeral Chapel.
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