Joe Shepherd Jr., 73

Joe M. Shepherd Jr., 73, of Alhambra died on Thursday, June 4, 2015 at Lamy, N.M.

Visitation will be held from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on Friday, July 17 at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland. A memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 17 at St. Paul Catholic Church in Highland, with Father Pat G. Jakel, pastor, officiating.

He was born on Sept. 5, 1941 in St. Louis, Mo., to Joseph M. Sr. and Phena M. (Cribbs) Shepherd. On May 5, 1962, he married Carol “Jane” Wilkinson. She passed away on June 16, 2013.

Mr. Shepherd grew up in St. Louis and was a graduate of Central High School. He earned a degree from Parks College in aeronautical engineering.

He worked several years at McDonnell Douglas. He then worked at Storz Surgical Instruments, which became Bausch & Lomb, as manager of manufacturing. He retired in early 2000.

He lived in Oakville, Mo., until 2002 and then moved to Alhambra.

He rebuilt cars, including Mustangs and a ’57 Chevy.

Soaring was his passion. He built gliders (sailplanes). He won many glider competitions over the years. He was a member of Soaring Society of America (SSA) and was president of the Silver Creek Glider Club in New Douglas. He died while soaring in his plane in New Mexico.

He loved his grandchildren.

Survivors include a daughter, Pamela S. (Terry) Nelson of Arnold, Mo.; a son, Jeffrey A. (Holly) Shepherd of Troy; grandchildren, Andy J. Groh of St. Louis, Mo., Brad M. Nelson of Arnold, Mo., Claire E. Nelson of Arnold, Mo., Sean K. Kukowski of Troy, and Jacob A. Shepherd of Troy; a brother; and a sister.

He was also preceded in death by his parents; and a sister.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or Parkinson’s disease research.

This story was originally published July 13, 2015 at 10:11 AM with the headline "Joe Shepherd Jr., 73."