Paul Eugene Shepard Jr.

Paul Shepard was born June 13, 1939, in Colorado Springs, only blocks away from the neighborhoods in which he lived his entire life. Paul grew up on the West Side where his grandfather built many of the houses. His parents were business owners in Old Colorado City, Cripple Creek, and Victor and Paul's father was a carpenter and fireman in Manitou Springs. Paul attended West Jr. and Manitou High and graduated from Westmar College in Iowa. He completed his master's degree in history at the University of South Dakota and began teaching social studies in Widefield in 1964 where he worked for 25 years. After retiring from full-time teaching, Paul taught part-time in District 11 and opened a business in Manitou. During his career, Paul also volunteered extensively in El Paso County where he became Chairman of the Democratic Party in 1977. Paul was also very active in the Widefield Teacher's Association where he served as President and the Pikes Peak Education Association where he served as Board President. Paul was a "people's historian," and his politics derived from a deep sense of fairness. When he ran for State Senate in 1988, he emphasized how protecting our unique environment and striving for full tolerance and equality could be our strongest social and economic drawing cards. He spent his retirement volunteering at the Old Colorado City History Center and Inside Out, two organizations that reflected his deep interests in local history, youth empowerment and social justice. He is survived by his wife Sally; son Tom and daughter Susan; grandson Shea; sons-in-law Scott and Nico; brothers-in-law Don and John; sister-in-law Shelley; sister Suzie; and many loving nieces and nephews and their families. In lieu of flowers, Paul requested donations be made to www.insideoutys.org A gathering to remember Paul is scheduled for Sunday, November 27, at 2pm at the Old Colorado History Center at 1 South 24th Street across from Bancroft Park.