George William Shepard, 68, passed away peacefully at his home in Arenas Valley, NM. on Wednesday March 9, 2022, in the loving arms of his wife of 32 years, Jeannette (Jean) Sherman Shepard. He is survived by his sons Cody Shepard of Silver City, NM, Wayne Shepard of Mimbres, NM and Shawn Ozzello (Ana) of Centennial, CO. His daughters Kristina Ozzello Keen (John) and Tara Ozzello O'Neill, of Silver City, NM; grandchildren: Aaron O'Neill, William Kammerer (Taylor), Samantha Shepard (Smith), Stephanie Ozzello, Christopher Shepard, Emmitt Shepard, Austin Keen, Levi Shepard, and looked forward to the arrival of baby boy Shepard in May. He is also survived by his mother in-law, Mary Sherman, Sister in-law Sandra Sherman Wooten, Brother in-law Robert Sherman (Letha) and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and chosen family in heart he had collected over his life. Preceded in death by his parents George W. and Myrtis Shepard of Las Cruces, NM., his son Christopher Martin Shepard, Father in law, Jack Sherman of Silver City, NM. , Brother in law, Jeffrey Wooten and Sister in law, Marcia Sherman Dufrane Wolf of Las Cruces, NM.
George was born in Las Cruces, NM. As a teenager, he lived with his Aunt Margie and Uncle Dave in Hereford, TX prior to moving back to Las Cruces and graduating from Mayfield High. He moved to Radium Springs NM and worked with the Volunteer Fire Dept. and Burns Construction. After his divorce, he raised his 2 sons, Wayne and Christopher as a single father. He met the love of his life and soul mate, Jean at a dance in the Blue Moon Bar and Grill in Radium Springs the summer of 1989. Jean was a single Mom raising 2 daughters Tara and Kristy and 1 son Shawn. George and his sons moved to Silver City, NM and December 30,1989 the couple married in Palomas, Mexico and began their journey as a blended family. Hence, their favorite song "Once in A Blue Moon". In 1998 the couple was blessed with their son, Cody Shepard. George began working for James Hamilton Construction in 1990, his work took him locally to the mines and across the State of New Mexico until he retired. He was an extremely hard worker, dedicated and determined to provide for his family and give them the life they deserved. Most people remember him from his work as Secretary of Gila Fish and Gun Club, promoting and running the annual fall Silver City Gun Show for over 20 years. George was selfless and put others first. He was always reaching out to help anyone in need, no matter what it took, especially his family. His caring spirit and generous heart could be felt by anyone he came in contact with. He had a special gift of not only seeing the good in people but bringing out the best in them as well, an instant friend. George was an avid lover of the outdoors and spent much of his time in the mountains, hunting and fishing, and enjoying the serene beauty it encompassed. His love for the outdoors brought out the happy free spirit that defined him. He was a great story teller and had a great passion for our country, freedom and was a true patriot. In 2003, the couple suffered the loss of their son Christopher and daughter in law Skyla. In 2014, he suffered the loss of his father in-law, Jack, whom he adored and considered his Father. Jack taught him to trap and was his mentor. In 2019, he suffered another loss of his very dear brother in-law, Jeff, whom he was very close. These losses devastated him, but he was such a proud, strong man, not many saw his struggle.
After retiring, he purchased a 2 acres homestead in Arenas Valley, NM and began making it a special place for his family. He spent his last days, remodeling their soon to be home, even learned to wallpaper. He put up greenhouses and a large chicken coop for Jean's passion of gardening and raising chickens. He planned on building an addition onto the house, a carport and putting in an orchard out back. His goal was to be self-sustaining in these hard times. After a hard day’s work, he loved sitting on the porch in the evenings, in his rocker watching the deer and elk come in to water. He truly loved his new homestead and was proud of all he had accomplished and always had a new project to conquer. His passion and integrity to those he loved was unwavering. His laugh will live on forever. He was fun loving and outgoing. He was an example to so many and a shining light to all who knew him. When you think of George, celebrate the good memories you have of him. Remember that life is fragile and should be lived to the fullest. He will be missed more than any words could express but he will be forever in our hearts till we meet again. We will remember him for his loving nature, his playfulness, and his occasional, endearing stubbornness. He doted on his grandchildren. He really is that pebble thrown into a lake as the lives he touched act as ripples that extend far beyond just us. We will miss him dearly, but we are so grateful for the time we had to spend with him. We will always feel his presence in our hearts. Special thanks to our very dear friend and sister by heart, Joani Amos, for being with us every step of our journey, no matter our need she would find a way to provide it. George, a loving husband, father, grandfather (Papa), brother by heart and friend to many will be sorely missed and forever remembered. Because he celebrated life, no formal funeral service is being planned, instead, he will be honored with an outdoor Celebration of Life and Bar-B-Q to be held at a later date.
Write to Jean Sherman Shepard
Cremation will take place at Terrazas Crematory. Arrangements are with Terrrazas Funeral Chapels and Crematory.
George was born in Las Cruces, NM. As a teenager, he lived with his Aunt Margie and Uncle Dave in Hereford, TX prior to moving back to Las Cruces and graduating from Mayfield High. He moved to Radium Springs NM and worked with the Volunteer Fire Dept. and Burns Construction. After his divorce, he raised his 2 sons, Wayne and Christopher as a single father. He met the love of his life and soul mate, Jean at a dance in the Blue Moon Bar and Grill in Radium Springs the summer of 1989. Jean was a single Mom raising 2 daughters Tara and Kristy and 1 son Shawn. George and his sons moved to Silver City, NM and December 30,1989 the couple married in Palomas, Mexico and began their journey as a blended family. Hence, their favorite song "Once in A Blue Moon". In 1998 the couple was blessed with their son, Cody Shepard. George began working for James Hamilton Construction in 1990, his work took him locally to the mines and across the State of New Mexico until he retired. He was an extremely hard worker, dedicated and determined to provide for his family and give them the life they deserved. Most people remember him from his work as Secretary of Gila Fish and Gun Club, promoting and running the annual fall Silver City Gun Show for over 20 years. George was selfless and put others first. He was always reaching out to help anyone in need, no matter what it took, especially his family. His caring spirit and generous heart could be felt by anyone he came in contact with. He had a special gift of not only seeing the good in people but bringing out the best in them as well, an instant friend. George was an avid lover of the outdoors and spent much of his time in the mountains, hunting and fishing, and enjoying the serene beauty it encompassed. His love for the outdoors brought out the happy free spirit that defined him. He was a great story teller and had a great passion for our country, freedom and was a true patriot. In 2003, the couple suffered the loss of their son Christopher and daughter in law Skyla. In 2014, he suffered the loss of his father in-law, Jack, whom he adored and considered his Father. Jack taught him to trap and was his mentor. In 2019, he suffered another loss of his very dear brother in-law, Jeff, whom he was very close. These losses devastated him, but he was such a proud, strong man, not many saw his struggle.
After retiring, he purchased a 2 acres homestead in Arenas Valley, NM and began making it a special place for his family. He spent his last days, remodeling their soon to be home, even learned to wallpaper. He put up greenhouses and a large chicken coop for Jean's passion of gardening and raising chickens. He planned on building an addition onto the house, a carport and putting in an orchard out back. His goal was to be self-sustaining in these hard times. After a hard day’s work, he loved sitting on the porch in the evenings, in his rocker watching the deer and elk come in to water. He truly loved his new homestead and was proud of all he had accomplished and always had a new project to conquer. His passion and integrity to those he loved was unwavering. His laugh will live on forever. He was fun loving and outgoing. He was an example to so many and a shining light to all who knew him. When you think of George, celebrate the good memories you have of him. Remember that life is fragile and should be lived to the fullest. He will be missed more than any words could express but he will be forever in our hearts till we meet again. We will remember him for his loving nature, his playfulness, and his occasional, endearing stubbornness. He doted on his grandchildren. He really is that pebble thrown into a lake as the lives he touched act as ripples that extend far beyond just us. We will miss him dearly, but we are so grateful for the time we had to spend with him. We will always feel his presence in our hearts. Special thanks to our very dear friend and sister by heart, Joani Amos, for being with us every step of our journey, no matter our need she would find a way to provide it. George, a loving husband, father, grandfather (Papa), brother by heart and friend to many will be sorely missed and forever remembered. Because he celebrated life, no formal funeral service is being planned, instead, he will be honored with an outdoor Celebration of Life and Bar-B-Q to be held at a later date.
Write to Jean Sherman Shepard
Cremation will take place at Terrazas Crematory. Arrangements are with Terrrazas Funeral Chapels and Crematory.
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