Colonel Richard L. Shepard

Colonel Richard L. Shepard was born to John and Mary Louise Shepard on October 8, 1962. At an early age, Richard accepted the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at the Ninth Street Missionary Baptist Church, Lawrence, Kansas. Richard attended the Lawrence Public School System from Elementary to High School. Upon graduating High School, attended Emporia State University for his undergraduate studies obtaining a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. Upon graduating from Emporia State University’s Reserve Officer Training Corps program as a distinguished military graduate, he received a Regular Army Commission into the Adjutant General’s Corps in May 1986. Richard met Deidre A. King and later married on October 6, 1996 to this union two children were born: Ryan and Quentin Shepard. Richard later went on to obtain his Master’s Degree of Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College in Carlisle, PA.

Richard despite all of his accolades and achievements was a true family man! He loved his family more than life itself. Richard was also a dedicated, smart, caring, kind individual who never met a stranger. As a military officer, there was no greater leader who cared about his soldiers. Richard made it a point to consider the military his family as well.

In his short Life, Colonel Shepard was Director for Manpower, Personnel and Support, U.S. Forces, Japan, Yokota Air Base, Japan; and Director of Personnel, Office of Security Cooperation – Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq. Colonel Shepard held numerous command and staff positions during his 28 years of commissioned service. His assignments included Chief, Personnel Actions, Headquarters 2nd Corps Support Command, Nellingen Barracks, Germany; Battalion Adjutant, Special Troops Battalion, Nellingen Barracks; Deputy Brigade Adjutant, 2nd Recruiting Brigade, Fort Gillem, GA; Commander, 517th Personnel Services Company, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Bliss, TX; Battalion Operations Officer, 509th Personnel Services Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Casey, Korea; Executive Officer, Army Modeling and Simulations, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Pentagon; Battalion Executive Officer, Division Strength Manager, Deputy G-1, Fort Riley, KS; Chief, Combat Support Development, U.S. Army Soldier Support Center, Fort Jackson, SC; Director, Enlisted Personnel Management, U.S. Army Europe, Schwetzingen, Germany and Commander, 38th Personnel Services Battalion, Bamberg, Germany. Richard was the last acting Brigade commander over all personnel and postal service command in all of Europe. He has also been noted in the U.S. Army History.

Colonel Shepard’s military education included the Adjutant General’s Officer Basic Course, Adjutant General’s Officer Advanced Course, Recruiting Commander’s Course, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, United States Army Command and General Staff College and the United States Army War College and attended The Joint Services Leadership School for the Asia Pacific Area.

Colonel Shepard’s awards and decorations included the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (posthumous), Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal with Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Services Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (4), and the Parachutist Badge.

Colonel Richard Shepard is leaving behind to cherish his memory: His wife of 21 years Ms. Dee King-Shepard, two sons: Ryan and Quentin King-Shepard. Both his mother and father: John and Mary Louise Shepard (Lawrence, Kansas). One brother: John (Carmella) Shepard of Arizona. He also leaves two sister-in-laws of St Louis: Janice and Ardis King and one brother-in-law: Albert McGowan of St. Louis. He also leaves behind a host of uncle, aunts, nieces, nephews cousins, and numerous friends.

Funeral services for Colonel Richard L. Shepard, 51, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 11, 2014 at the First Regular Missionary Baptist Church in Lawrence. Military burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Lawrence.

There will be a visitation prior to the service on Saturday from 9 – 11 a.m. at the church.

A visitation will also be held Friday, October 10th from 4 – 9 p.m. at the First Regular Missionary Baptist Church.