2026 Obituaries - Page 2

Robert Jay Shephard 

Our beloved father, grandfather (aka Paps), and great-grandfather, Robert Jay Shephard, 80, of Guthrie, passed from his earthly life into eternal life with his Savior on July 30, 2025.

Robert (Bob) was born on July 13, 1945, in Brown City, Michigan to Olin and Helen (Bennett) Shephard. Bob was the oldest of four children and primarily lived in Mayville, Michigan, during his childhood. In 1963, he graduated from Mayville High School where he lettered in multiple sports but excelled in football. While he was a senior there, he met the love of his life for almost 63 years, Faith Ann (Jones) Shephard, and they married in 1965. Together they had four children, 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Bob held many titles throughout his life. He was a teacher, coach, sheriff's deputy and school superintendent for the first part of his career until he felt God's call to full time ministry and put on the title of Pastor, then later author. When he followed God's call to leave Michigan, he took an administrator  position at  Camp Pinerock in Prescott, AZ. He often referred to this time as his "theological training" because he met and learned from some of the highest regarded Christian ministers and speakers in the 1980s and grew in both knowledge and in faith. From Camp Pinerock, Bob followed God's leading to be an Associate Pastor at Enid First Church of the Nazarene, in Enid OK; then on to be a Senior Pastor at Nazarene churches in Piedmont, OK; Tucson, AZ; Albuquerque, NM; Enid, OK; and Marshall, MO. The name, "Pastor Shephard" was the perfect description of how he served. He loved God and His people and took his role as their Pastor AND shepherd seriously. After retiring from full-time ministry, Bob authored two books, Unprepared and Facing the IF in Life. In the last few years, he continued to minister to anyone who crossed his path by sharing these books with them.

Although Bob held many titles, his most important was Christian. He served God faithfully in how he lived. He ministered to those in his family, his churches and his path, but he also loved and knew God on a deep level. His favorite passage was Psalm 91. Bob lived with God as his  "refuge and fortress," God's "faithfulness [was his] shield" throughout his life and the line "my God, in whom I trust" summed up Bob's relationship with God. It was often joked that Bob had a direct line to God, but he would be the first to tell you everyone has that same access. The difference was that Bob knew that God heard and would answer his prayers. That faith was felt by those who knew him, and he lived it. In addition to having great faith, Bob also lived authentically. He was the same man in the pulpit as he was at home.

The other titles that mattered most to Bob were those of Husband, Dad, Paps and Great-grandpa. He loved his wife, Faith Ann, and was devoted to her throughout their marriage and even after her death. Their commitment to each other set an example for their family. As a dad, Bob taught his children about God, faith, the value of hard work, the importance of grace, and how to pray. He also was quick with a dad joke and loved to get a laugh or groan. Oftentimes, the louder the groan, the more he laughed. As a grandpa, he loved his grandkids, was incredibly proud of each of them, and was eager for times when the whole family would be together so he could spend time with them. As a great-grandpa, he delighted in his great-grandchildren; their pictures and videos always brought a smile to his face.

Some of Bob's hobbies included watching football, especially Michigan football (Go, Big Blue!), calling to trash talk any family NOT rooting for Michigan, playing golf, sight-seeing with his wife, fishing, hunting, trying out hole in the wall BBQ joints and in his teenage years, going to dances. It's rumored he even won a contest for "The Twist." He also loved playing cards (especially Michigan Rummy) and if you visited him, it wasn't long before he was telling you to grab the cards and deal. In his Michigan years, he liked hunting, and he loved to tell the story about how he once caught a Canadian goose (before they were protected!)  and wrung its neck. Then he would pause, start laughing and tell about how that goose shredded his hunting vest and beat him up pretty good in the struggle. Bob also loved playing golf. He was a strong golfer and passed that love on to a few of his grandkids. He was such a great golfer that he even had a hole in one…in the golf course toilet! In fairness to Bob's golf skill, he also had legitimate holes in ones too.

Robert is preceded in death by his loving wife, Faith Ann Shephard, and his parents. He is survived by his brother, John Shephard, and sisters, Barbara Robinson and Judy Walby. His legacy continues through his four children: Sharri and her husband Bruce Mackey of Edmond, OK; Jeffrey Robert and his wife Beverly Shephard of Siloam Springs, AR; Shelli and her husband Bruce Whittecar of The Woodlands, TX; and Tami and her husband Edward Mostrom of Broken Arrow, OK. Robert also has 13 incredible grandchildren that he was so very proud of:  Andrew and his wife Amber Blakeman, Matthew Robert Blakeman, Michael and his wife Shanna Shephard, Christopher Shephard, Colton Jay and his wife Andrea Whittecar, Nicholas Robert Shephard, Mackenzi Mostrom, Carleigh and her husband Jorge Rodriguez, Alexa Mostrom, Mary Shephard, Kolby Mostrom, Elizabeth Shephard, and Rachel Shephard; and five darling great grandchildren that he delighted in: Atlas Robert Shephard, Grayson Shephard, Adelaide Shephard, Abel Shephard and Stella Shephard.Â

Robert was well loved by his family, and he loved them fiercely in return. His smile, jokes, prayers and encouragement will be greatly missed. While the family mourns his passing, they take joy in knowing he is now whole, reunited with his beloved wife and in the presence of his Savior, Jesus Christ. The faith that gave him hope throughout his life is now fully realized and he has entered into his reward.

Services will be held at 2pm at Matthews Funeral Home in Edmond on Saturday, August 2, 2025, with interment to follow at Arcadia IOOF Cemetery in Arcadia, OK.