Harry W.L. Shepherd, Sr.

Harry Wingfield Louthan Shepherd, Sr. (Pete), age 68, surrounded by family, went to be
with the Lord on June 8, 2021. He was a US Navy Veteran, owner of Shepherd’s
Waterfront Properties, and a proud member of the GHS Class of 1970. He is both a
Mayflower and a Jamestown descendent. He had a relative who was killed at the Alamo.
He is a Ruritan Forever and a Tom Downing Fellow. He was preceded in death by his
parents, Dr. Richard Thomas and Mrs. Mildred Louthan Shepherd, and brother in law, John
Stanley Clements, Sr.
He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Lou; sister Almeda Clements; brother Thomas
(Ginny); sons, Peter Todd (Betsy), Harry Wingfield Louthan, Jr (Melissa); and Cameron
(Natalie); 7 grandchildren: Peter Thomas, Lucy, Mason, Eli, Locksley, Winston, and Harry
Wingfield Louthan Shepherd III. Also survived by godson Matt Molter, sister in law JoAnn
Nystrom (Jon), and brother in law Bruce Hogge (Karen). Also survived by Niece Carroll
Ann Lewter (John), Nephew Stan (Julie), Great nieces Matison, Grace, and Carlie, and
Great Nephew Jack. Pete’s brothers by different mothers are Don Molter, Arthur Carr,
Eugene Washer, and 3 Lawrence brothers Larry, Bill, & Lew.
Pete was smart, witty, and a natural born leader, organizer, and spontaneous orator. He
was President of the Gloucester-Mathews-Middlesex Board of Realtors; President of the
Gloucester Point Rotary Club; President of the Abingdon Ruritan Club; Board President of
Jamestown Education Center; Ruritan Zone 4 Governor Chesapeake District; Ruritan
Lieutenant Governor Chesapeake District; Board Member & Secretary Treasurer,
Chesapeake Bay & Rivers Association of Property Services. Pete was a Mason in
Urbanna Royal Arch Chapter No. 59 and Penn-Neck Commandry No. 33 Knights Templar of
Virginia. He was a member of the Gloucester Historical Society, Colonial Corvette Club,
Middlesex Shooting Sports Club, INO Hunt Club, & the INO Hearts Group. In his spare time
he played tennis, bridge, planned bus trips to Dover Delaware, hunted, fly fished and
traveled with Mary Lou.
More than anything, Pete was renowned for his love of people. He loved entertaining in the
pool house, steaming clams and crabs, grilling burgers, making his famous tomato pie and
veggie salad. The ladies loved his Cosmos! He loved his wife, his kids, and his grandkids.
He loved UVA Sports, especially men’s basketball. He loved to give a hand to anyone who
needed something. He treated people equitably. He was an honorable man.
Pete was a fighter. Twice he thwarted cancer. The first time he was President of the
Abingdon Ruritan Club and while taking chemo and radiation, he presided over the club,
did not miss a board or membership meeting and served with distinction by being
recognized nationally as a top Club President. The second time, he had to have a bone
marrow transplant and was a “poster child” for VCU. When asked how he was able to
endure so much, his stock answer was “Believe in the Lord, Trust your doctors, and follow
their instructions—no need to kick and scream and ask why me”. The last time the big C
came calling it was with a diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia—the worst diagnosis of
all. Pete knew that this time, he was going to be with the Lord sooner than he expected.
And so it was. On the morning of June 8th, he proclaimed to Mary Lou & the Doctors that
he wanted to go home—his Heavenly Home. At 4 52 pm he was with Jesus.
A Going Home Service, conducted by Rev Sven vanBaars, will be held Saturday, June 12,
11:00 am at Abingdon Episcopal Church, 4645 George Washington Memorial Highway,
Gloucester, VA 23061. Pete loved 4-H from youth through adulthood. If you wish to honor
Pete, you may make a contribution to Jamestown 4-H Education Center, 3751 4-H Club
Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185.
Interment with Masonic and Military Honors will commence immediately after the service,
followed by a Celebration of Life with Food and exchange of “Pete” stories at the Abingdon
Ruritan Club, 8784 Guinea Road, Hayes, VA 23972.
Andrews Funeral Home in Gloucester is in charge of arrangements.