Don Shepherd

Don Shepherd
2/18/1948 - 11/8/2015
Donald "Don" W. Shepherd, 67, of Nampa, passed away with his loving wife by his side on Sunday, November 8th, 2015 at University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle Washington after a long and courageous battle with a rare Autoimmune disease. Don was born in Nampa, Idaho on February 18, 1948 to Eugene and Betty Shepherd. He was raised in Nampa and graduated from Nampa High School, and then the University of Idaho in 1971.
On August 20, 1966 Don married his high school sweetheart and best friend, Carol Schade. Don and Carol were blessed with three children, Jeff, Janet and Jonathan. He resided in Moscow and Nampa.
Don joined his father-in-law, Gus Schade, in business in 1971 at Gem Stop Company. Gem Stop and Northwest Petroleum are still active in the petroleum industry and are owned and operated by his family today.
Don was a very generous, thoughtful, witty, patient and kind person. He was a man of few words, but when Don spoke, people listened. He was well respected and loved by all who were lucky enough to know him.
Don enjoyed spending time with Carol traveling. He spent his summers in McCall golfing, driving the boat, teaching his family how to water ski, and relaxing on the deck with family and friends. The last several years Don enjoyed spending the winters in Rancho Mirage, California at the Thunderbird Country Club where he enjoyed golfing, "fishing" for golf balls, and entertaining his family and friends, especially his five grandsons, or as he called them his "basketball team". His grandsons adored him and were beyond lucky to have him as their beloved "Gramps". Don also enjoyed the Thunderbird Country Club staff and was well loved by all of them.
Don had several interests including coaching basketball in his younger years, fishing, golfing, attending University of Idaho football games, and driving and exploring places with Carol. One of his favorite past times was attending his grandsons sporting events.
Don was an active member in the community. He was a member and past president of Kiwanis and served on the Boards for Mountain West Bank, Western Petroleum Marketers Association, and the Idaho Youth Ranch. Don was a president for the Snake River Stampede and spent 30 years on the board.
Don is preceded in death by, his grandparents; mother, Betty Shepherd; Gus and Wilma Schade; his mother and father-in-law; and his brother, Bob Shepherd. Surviving him is his Father, Eugene Shepherd; spouse, Carol Shepherd; children, Jeff Shepherd of Nampa, Janet(husband, Craig) Lunt of Nampa, and Jon(wife, Emily) Shepherd of Boise; five grandchildren, Drew(19) and Justin(16) Lunt, and Ryan(8), Jake(5) and Cole(3) Shepherd; sisters, Becky(husband, Tim) Wickham and Julie (husband, Clayton) Chadez; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
There will be a Celebration of Life Open House at Hillcrest Country Club, 4610 W Hillcrest Drive in Boise from 3 to 5pm on Sunday, November 15, 2015. A private family service will be held at another time.
The family would like to thank Dr. Dee of Nampa, Dr. Mary Howell of Rancho Mirage, along with the numerous doctors and staff at UW Medical Center and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance for the loving care that was given to Don over the last year. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you please contribute to: Western Petroleum Marketers Scholarship Foundation, PO Box 571500 Salt Lake City, UT 84157 where Don was instrumental in setting up this educational foundation.