M. Frank Shepherd, 92, died September 18, 2021. He was born October 18, 1928, in Atlanta,
Georgia, and spent much of his life in his beloved South. Because of his career in food service
management, he resided throughout the country—settling in Mobile, Alabama; Montgomery, Alabama;
St. Petersburg, Florida; Mission, Kansas; Chicago, Illinois; Atlanta, Georgia; Tampa, Florida;
and more. Frank moved to Overland Park, Kansas, in the early 1990s to be near his three daughters,
Linda Rippetoe of DeSoto, Kansas, (husband, John); Elaine Paepke of Overland Park; Susan Ray of
Leawood, Kansas, (husband, Jeff); and his grandson, Connor Drake of Leawood.
Frank was raised in Chickasaw, Alabama, one of four children of Lawson and Alice Shepherd.
His first job was when he was 9 years old, shining shoes for customers at the local barber shop.
He later delivered newspapers on his horse, Black Devil, and was a golf caddy.
He served as an airman in the U.S. Navy from 1946 to 1948, stationed in Texas, Maryland, and Florida.
He enjoyed watching golf, horse racing, and Alabama football, loved driving to Georgia
and Alabama for visits, enjoyed reading, and, for a time, had a hobby of searching for
Civil War relics with friends.
Frank was preceded in death by his brother, James. In addition to his daughters and grandson,
he leaves his sister, Kathryn Welch of Alabama, and his brother, Richard Shepherd of North Carolina
(wife, Linda Gail), and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
October 18, 1928 - September 18, 2021 (age 92)
A service was held in Leawood on September 29. Another service is planned for 11:00 a.m., Thursday, October 28, at Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Mobile, Alabama, where he will be laid to rest near his departed family members
