Nathan Edward Shepherd

Nathan Edward Shepherd, a gifted writer, producer, director, devoted husband, father of two and friend to many, died on October 23, 2022 in Los Angeles. He was 43.

Nate lived in Los Angeles, California for two decades: the longest he ever lived in one place. When asked where he grew up, he would say, "everywhere." Nate was born in the naval hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia on November 18, 1978. He then lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico until he was 12. His mother and stepfather were both journalists and the family moved to Washington, D.C., and later Winston-Salem, North Carolina. With his dad's side of the family in Phoenix, and his mom in St. Louis, Nate felt a deep affection for all the places in which he grew up or had family, but home to him was California.

Nate was the oldest of six siblings: three on his mother's side (Patrick, Lauren, and Sean) and two on his father's side (Erin and Matthew). Between his mother being a journalist and his father's love of film, it was no surprise that Nate became a storyteller. At 8, Nate directed his brother Patrick in plays and he loved to be in command of the family camcorder. His father and stepmother gave him lessons in film history each time Nate came to visit, instilling a love of movies he would cherish his whole life. As a teenager, Nate was an avid skateboarder. But after an ankle injury, he turned to photography, training his creative eye by taking skate photos. He earned photo credits in his high school newspaper and skateboarding trade publications. At 18, Nathan was a sports videographer for WTVD in Raleigh, NC.

Nate studied screenwriting and producing at North Carolina School of the Arts. He graduated with a producing degree in 2003. Los Angeles came next, driving across the country in his beloved 1997 Jeep Wrangler, and in 2004, met Melissa Goodwin, "the old-fashioned way -in a bar," he'd brag. Melissa was wearing a yellow flower in her hair. They've never been apart since that first meeting. "We're from the same movie," he'd say.

Melissa worked in animation, and Nate wrote various screenplays for different directors. The two finally joined forces and began their own animation company in the kitchen of their Miracle Mile apartment. They created several short films and commercials together for several different companies, including Disney, Nickelodeon, and Cartoon Network. Their latest project together, co-creating and show-running their own animated series, will debut on Netflix in May 2023.

Nate and Melissa were married September 25, 2010 in West Hills, California. Their most enduring collaboration is in their two beautiful boys; Graham (5) and Harrison (9 months). The legacy of their father's love will be kept alive, not only through countless photographs and videos, but carried on by his adored wife, Melissa and through his enormous family and rogues' gallery of friends, who will hold him in their hearts and speak his name forever.

Nathan is survived by his wife, Melissa Goodwin Shepherd; sons Graham Philip Shepherd; Harrison "Sonny" Jay Shepherd; mother, Jean Ellen Whatley, St. Louis, MO; father, Don Shepherd (Kathie) Phoenix, AZ; siblings, Patrick Sandefur (Sarah) Brooklyn, NY; Lauren Stoelting (Suzanne) St. Louis, MO; Sean Sandefur (Amy) Wichita, KS; Erin (nee Shepherd) Van Liew (John) Phoenix, AZ; Matthew Shepherd (Alicia) Menifee, CA; step-father Bill Sandefur, St. Louis, MO, plus numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins from coast-to-coast. A private memorial service will be held in Los Angeles on November 18.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to Graham and Sonny's education fund can be send via check c/o:

Kathie Shepherd

PO BOX 849

Peoria, AZ 85380