Raymond Richard “Dick” Shepherd, age 77, of Richville, passed away on February 19, 2017 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse.
Calling hours were held at French Funeral Home in Gouverneur on Thursday, February 23, 2017 from 4p.m. to 6p.m. His funeral service will be at the funeral home on Friday at 11 a.m. with James Meola officiating. Burial following in the Wayside Cemetery in Richville.
Dick was born on August 19, 1939 in Gouverneur to the late Raymond E. and Ruth F. (Teal) Shepherd. He served in the United States Army from May 6, 1963 until his honorable discharge on May 6, 1965. He married Kareata Jane VanOrnum on July 24, 1965 at the Oxbow Presbyterian Church with Rev. Sinclair officiating.
Dick retired from the St. Lawrence County Building and Grounds crew after working there for 22 years. He had previously worked as a bus driver for Leon LaForty, worked for the Town of Gouverneur, and was an appliance repairman at VanOrnum’s Furniture Store.
In his free time, Dick enjoyed woodworking, restoring antiques, and fishing. He especially loved time spent with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
His survivors include his wife, Jane Shepherd of Richville; a daughter and son-in-law, Michelle and Wade Hazelwood of Marion, IN; a son and daughter-in-law, Rick and Lori Shepherd of Snellville, GA; a sister, Sue Aldrich of Antwerp; three grandchildren, Brooke Shepherd, Zachary Shepherd, and Trevor Hazelwood; and two great-grandchildren, Jayden Shepherd and Conner Litherland.
He is predeceased by his parents and two brothers, Lynn and Wayne Shepherd.
Donations in memory of Dick may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association. Condolences may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com.