Larry Dean Sheppard's Obituary
The Man, The Myth, The Legend.
That’s who he was to those that loved him. He was larger than life.
Larry Dean Sheppard, of Sacramento, passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by all his girls, Sunday March 4, 2018. He is survived and deeply missed by his wife of 33 years, Nannette Sheppard, their combined 7 children: Crystal Pryor, Jennifer Sheppard Beam, Jason Fabbri, Danielle Sheppard Wills, Annie Garamendi, Katie Poynter, Samantha Sheppard Quan and their 17 grandchildren.
Larry was born June 24, 1940 in St. Louis, Missouri to Jewel “Judy” A. McDaniels. They lived with his Grandparents whom he called “Mom & Pop” and his aunts and uncles who were more like his brothers and sisters. His Grandad, chasing a booming oil industry, took the family West to Taft, CA where his mother Judy, met and married Jack London Sheppard, a lumber surveyor. Larry loved hunting, camping and everything about being a Boy Scout. He regretted not becoming an Eagle Scout but his stepdad’s work moved them many times between Oregon and California. Together, with a new baby brother Micheal Sheppard (deceased), the family finally settled in Eureka, CA, which Larry said felt like the “Big City”. He graduated from Eureka High School, where he played in the band and got in too much trouble, in 1958.
At 18, he joined the US Navy and it took him around the world. He worked and studied to be a meteorologist and was so proud to serve aboard the USS Ticonderoga, USS Staten Island and the USS Burton Island. He credited the Navy for making him the hardworking man we all knew. He told many engaging stories from those days and he loved telling them. He had the voice and personality for storytelling!
As a young man, he dealt with tragedy and loss of some of the most special people in his life. That grief strengthened his need for human connection. His beloved first wife, Marilou Wegscheider passed away far too young coupled with the passing of his treasured Aunt Pete and Uncle Bud. Dealing with great loss at such a young age molded him into the man he was. Grieving those he loved most shaped his devotion to family and reinforced the fragility of life. He became sentimental, nostalgic, and appreciative of his family because of it.
Much of his professional career was spent working as a research technician in the refractories industry. He was also the basketball Coach, volunteer Cheer Dad, and worked for Seniors Helping Seniors and Meals on Wheels after retirement. He never stopped making an impact on people’s lives.
The women in his life were numerous. And that’s just how he liked it. He adored his Mother whom he called a great cook and wonderful mom. He worshipped his Aunt June (deceased) and Aunt Eva like sisters and would call them weekly to laugh and give each other a hard time. His daughters were his world and nothing made him happier than when he was needed by one of them. He had crushes on Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor but loved no one more than his First Lady, his wife Nannette whom he called “the most beautiful woman in the world”. He was a true romantic, always planning elaborate surprises for her and credited making Nannette laugh as his favorite thing to do. He succeeded most of the time. Their love served as a beautiful example of marriage for their children to look up to.
He was the fixer of all things and personal contractor for all of his kids. And he was always on call. He enjoyed documenting his family history through photographs, storytelling, keeping his Chevy Silverado immaculate and watching the Lakers, Dodgers, and Rams. Although we knew never to call and congratulate him on a big Win, because he probably had the game recorded at home, without all the “damn” commercials. He was the man always tinkering in the garage on a project for one of the kids or grandkids and just about everyone in the family has a homemade piece made just for them. From birdhouses to dollhouses to a custom wooden puzzle for his youngest grandson just last month, these projects are a treasured piece of his legacy.
Larry was “Gacky” to not only his family, but to everyone who was lucky enough to cross paths with him. If he knew you, he knew as much of your story as you did his, and you were treated like family. From his Meals on Wheels clients, to his daughters’ friends, to his housekeeper…everyone loved and respected him.
He impacted the lives of all those around him and was the ultimate Patriarch. He has left behind a gaping hole in the hearts of many. He will be so very missed, but his memory will live on forever in the greatest project he ever built: his beautiful family.
We love you forever, Gacky.
Turn out the lights, the party’s over.
Mr. Sheppard’s family wish to extend the invitation for anyone who knew and loved him to join them in celebrating his memory on Friday, March 30th. The brief military services and honors will begin at 10AM at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetary at 5810 Midway Road in Dixon, CA 95620. Immediately followed by a Celebration of his beautiful life at his Heritage Park Clubhouse Ballroom at 2481 Heritage Park Lane in Sacramento 95835. Drinks and light fare provided. We invite all to come and share a memory with us.
At the request of his family, memorial donations may be made in his name to your local Meals on Wheels chapter or Stand Down Sacramento, a local organization benefiting homeless Veterans
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