Funeral services for Mr. David Shepherd, age 70, life-long Custer County farmer and rancher will begin at 2:00pm Friday, December 29, 2023 in the First Christian Church, 111 South 28th Street, Clinton, Oklahoma with Pastor Bowman Vowell, Doyle Kinney and Celebrant Glenda Stansbury presiding. Burial will immediately follow in the Butler Cemetery in Butler, Oklahoma under the direction of the Kiesau-Lee Funeral Home.
The Shepherd family greeted family and friends from 5:00pm to 7:00pm on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at the Kiesau-Lee Funeral Home, 2500 West Modelle Avenue, Clinton, OK.
David Wayne Shepherd was born on Tuesday, August 11, 1953 in Clinton, Oklahoma the son of R.B. and Melba (Alexander) Shepherd. He passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Wednesday morning, December 20, 2023 in his Butler home. David was raised on the family farm and attended Butler Public Schools. While in school David was a gifted athlete excelling in sports. He was also active in FFA and served in multiple leadership roles. David was awarded The American FFA Degree which is the highest honor awarded to FFA members who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to FFA and made significant accomplishments in their supervised agricultural experience. He graduated from Butler High School in May of 1971. David was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Durelle Coit on Saturday, March 11, 1972 in the Independence Church in rural Custer County. David enlisted into the United States National Guard serving his country until being Honorably Discharged. He then turned his focus back to farming and ranching, leading and expanding the family farming operation for the next 50 years.
He remained active until his death. David served his community in several capacities including board memberships with the local ASCS office and the Oklahoma Farm Bureau in Custer County.
When David wasn’t on the farm, he could be found playing dominos with his childhood friend and the best man at his wedding, Leslie Roper. David also loved the game of golf, playing some of the most beautiful courses across the United States.
If you asked David what his favorite pastime was and what brought him more joy than anything else he would quickly respond that being a husband to Nancy for more than 51 years, being a Dad to Brandon, Melissa and Robert and being the proudest PaPa to Mattison, Chaley and Cheridan would top his list. David was always present, engaged and offered love and support to his family, attending to every activity they were involved in. He was always there with that big smile, speaking encouragement with that strong and steady guided voice. David’s sudden departure has left a family, many friends and a community in disbelief. He will be missed but forever remembered.
David was preceded in death by his daughter, Melissa Durelle Shepherd on July 12, 1993; his father, R.B. “Bozo” Shepherd on September 20, 1999; and one of his best friends, travel buddy and fellow golfer, Bob Beene on August 5, 2020; and a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins.
David is survived by his wife, Nancy of the home; his mother, Melba Shepherd of Clinton, OK; two sons, Brandon Shepherd and his wife, Karol of Yukon, OK; Robert Shepherd and his wife, Chanda of Butler, OK; three granddaughters, Mattison Shepherd of Yukon, OK; Chaley (Shepherd) Powell and her husband, Tucker of Butler, OK; Cheridan Shepherd and her boyfriend, Brock Conkling of Stillwater, OK; David and Nancy’s close family friend and travel partner, Renee Beene; and David’s best friend from childhood, Leslie Roper; three sisters, Sharon Thompson of Cresent, OK; Linda Tharel and her husband, Bruce of Clinton, OK; and Cheryl Sullivan and her husband, Randy of Weatherford, OK.
Memorial donations may be made in memory of David Shepherd to the Clinton Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 500 South 30th Street, Clinton, OK 73601.