Leonard Jackson Shepherd

Belvidere, SD

1934, 793, Hill City, F-9,

Leonard Jackson Shepherd, 90, of Rapid City, died Thursday, January 18, 2007, at Fountain Springs Health Care. He was born to Aura & Maud (Conner) Shepherd on February 8, 1916, in Jackson County, South Dakota. As a young boy, he lived with his family on a ranch near Belvidere and was educated in the schools there. He worked at the CCC Camps in the Black Hills as a young man. He also worked construction in eastern South Dakota; then enlisted in the Army and served overseas in World War II. He was injured while serving on Guadalcanal and, upon his return to the States, served as a guard transporting German prisoners of war.

Following his time in the military, he spent 37 years as a heavy equipment mechanic for Caterpillar dealers in Rapid City, retiring in 1985.

On June 1, 1948, he married Arlene Brammer in Alpena, SD. Two sons were born to this union, Gary and Lee. After his first wife's death in 1954, Leonard married Arlene Roes on January 12, 1958. Together they raised Arlene's son, LeRoy, and Gary and Lee.

Leonard enjoyed hunting, fishing, and bowling. He especially loved hunting and fishing trips with family and friends. Leonard was a very avid bowler and bowled on as many as four leagues each week. But his life-long love of baseball was his passion. He began playing in Belvidere as a teen, continued during his military years, and he also played in the amateur league in Rapid City. After his playing days, he was a Little League coach at Rushmore Little League, and then he coached in the Colt League, Palomino League, and amateur league for several years. He was also a bus driver, mechanic, concessionaire, and supporter of Post 22 baseball for countless years, where he followed the careers of his sons and grandsons. He also served on the Board of Black Hills Sports for many years. He was a member of the VFW, the American Legion Post 22, and the Moose Club.

Survivors include his loving wife, Arlene, of Rapid City, sons Gary (Sue) Shepherd, Lee (Ann) Shepherd, and LeRoy (Maria) Roes, all of Rapid City. He will be especially missed by his four grandchildren: Bryan (Neala) Shepherd of Sterling, CO, Amber Shepherd of Omaha, NE, Andy Shepherd attending Oakland University in Michigan, and Pam Roes of Rapid City. His special great-granddaughter, Camden Shepherd of Sterling, CO, also survives him, along with several special nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, three sisters, and his first wife, Arlene Brammer Shepherd, and their infant daughter.

Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, January 21, at Osheim-Catron Funeral Home. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, January 22, at the funeral home, with Sr. Susan Pohl, OSB officiating. Interment with military honors provided by Rushmore VFW Post 1273 honor guard will be at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis. A memorial has been established to the Post 22 baseball program and Hospice of the Hills.

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