Charles Harold Shepherd 1926 ~ 2013

CHARLES HAROLD SHEPHERD passed away on Sunday, March 24, 2013 after a long struggle with Alzheimer's. Charlie was born June 14, 1926 on the Saskatchewan ranch home of his parents Charles and Helen Banks Shepherd. He grew up with brothers Jack and Lloyd, sisters Joan and Ruth and cousin Gordon and Eleanor at West Plains, a three family, all Shepherd community. In 1946, he left for Lethbridge on his rebuilt '35 Harley to begin a career in business culminating in ownership of Rossiter Agencies, a customs brokerage.

Everyone who ever knew Charlie like and respected him for the good friend, neighbor, and ""gentle"" man he was. He devoted his life to his family, his Baptist church associates, Lethbridge Sport Flyers, Southern Alberta Bikers, Model Boat Club, and most recently Picture Butte Antique Tractors. From his earliest years Charlie was a craftsman of miniature trucks, boats, planes and even a detailed version of the Queen E.II. He enjoyed his basement shop and his garage where the doors were usually open to encourage callers. In 1974, Charlie completed his eight year project of a home built airplane which he flew for thirty years. He took much pride in knowing his grandson Marshall is making a career as a pilot, a dream of his never fulfilled.

Charlie is survived by his three beloved daughters Rhonda (Randy) Sorgard, Darla (Elved Hughes, deceased), and Terri (Russ) Paton; six grandsons and two granddaughters: Derek (Anna) Sorgard, Ryan Sorgard, Trevor (Kim) Hughes, Tracy (Mark) Labinowicz, Marshall Paton, Riley Paton, and Adam and Aaron Paton. Charlie is also survived by the mother of his girls, Freda Allsop and five great-grandchildren Alyssa, Sara, Nolan, Ben, and Ada.

Mourning the loss of her lifelong friend and precious husband are Charlie's wife Muriel and her eight children: Robin (Pam) Ingram, April (Dwight) Russill, Jill (Richard) Wlosek, Kevin (Dixie) Ingram, Rory (Shelley) Ingram, Sean (Linda) Ingram, Sandy (Mernie) Russell and Erin (Robert) White with their fourteen children and eight grands who loved their Grandpa ""Chewie"" as their own. He will be long and lovingly remembered by a large circle of sisters in law, brothers in law, nieces, nephews, and cousins across Canada and the USA.

A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00pm on Thursday, March 28, 2013 at FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, 1614- 5th Avenue South, with Dr. Bruce Martin officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer Society Lethbridge Chapter | #402- 740 4 Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 0N9 or a charity of one's choice.

Happy is he who heareth The signal of his release The bells from the heavenly city The chimes of eternal Peace.