Thomas J. Shepardson

Tom was very compassionate to my entire family and especially to me when I lost a grandson,husband and a son. Words cannot explain how he was so understanding. To him I will always be greatful.

Tom was so compassionate in the loss of my nephew and father I will never forget him.

Tom's work with the disaster team demonstrated his commitment to help all and that is something that is very unique. I want to express my deepest sympathy to the family.

Jackie and Family...My sincere thoughts are with you as you celebrate the life of Tommy. He was an inspiring man whose legacy will live on in the generations that follow.

My parents and their friends (both graduates of St. Vincent DePaul)were stunned by the death of Mr. Shepardson. They had nothing but wonderful things to say about him and his wife.



My mother also added that the Shepardsons were very active in events at CBA where their sons attended school.



From my entire family, much sympathy and thoughts go out to the Shepardson family during this time of grief.

Tom was indeed a wonderful human being. I had the honor of working with him at several moments in time when our nation had disasters. He was a tremendous leader and always gave 110% to the care of those lost lives as well as to the men and women of DMORT who assisted him. As a DMORT member from Region VII, I wish to thank his family for allowing him to lead such a large group of people, and to take so much time away from them in its course. It never went un-noticed. Again, it was an honor to serve with Tom, and he will be missed dearly. He is now being greeted by thousands who he helped while on earth. Can you imagine the hand shaking that is going on up there? He indeed is receiving his reward. May God Bless his family, and may God Bless the Memory of Tom.

My sincere sympathy to Jackie and family on the passing of Tom, my 1961 St. Vincent's classmate. He was truly an outstanding humanitarian who touched many lives in life, tragedy and death. May the wonderful memories you shared with him help you through this difficult time. He will always be remembered and truly missed.

What a nice world it would be if more people were like Tom. My sincerest sympathy to the family.

Barbara Schenkenberger Kinney

Jackie,Chris and Family,



We send our deepest sympathy. Linda and I always enjoyed our chats at the Canteen. Tom was a pioneer and a giant in our industry who left a historic legacy for his family and our profession that will never be

forgotten. God Bless him and all of you.



Jim & Linda

Tom Shepardson was like a comet that flashes across the sky burning brightly and moving so fast in its chosen direction that it burns out long before it reaches its destination. Tom was like that comet. His being part of your life made it better and happier. His quick wit, his zest for life and his spontaneous embrace of a new venture made you want to be around him. You always went away from him feeling better and usually wearing a smile. He worked hard, played hard and he set very high standards for himself in both work and play and he enjoyed every minute of it.

He will be remembered best of all as a loving husband and father; a guy who always did his very best for people and who loved to laugh and enjoy being with good friends. Oh yes, there is the fact that he was a great business man, successful funeral director and of course there is the state and national achievements. But his zest for life, the enthusiasm, the constant motion of the man who wanted to do everything he coould for those he loved and cared for- that is how I shall remember him. At 59 he lived 118 years worth! An article about him said that he may have overworked himself to death. Can you imaine a Tommy any other way? Could you imagine a doctor telling him to slow down? Can you picture Tom Shepardson in a rocking chair with a blanket on his lap or with a cane or a walker? It was never to be. That is the way it is with comets. They never slow down. It is the way they are. Everyone is in shock at his passing. But think about it. Would the Tommy we knew ever slow down? So the comet lit up the sky and burned out of our sight just when we were enjoying the show of lights from God. "Did you see that?" we might say of a comet. Those who never saw a comet missed something very special. The comet is fast, brilliant, fun to watch, but gone too soon. Now only the night sky remains where it once traced its brilliance.

One more thought: why did the comet burn out when it did? Well, all I can say it that it must have been one dull day in heaven. It was so dull up there that in desperation God said, "OK, lets get Tommy Shepardson up here!" And on that day, heaven became a much more FUN place to be, and to which to go.

Enjoy it Tom.

To the family of Thomas Shepardson,



Our sincere and heartfelt condolences from all of us in the NDMS/USPHS - VMAT system.



Tom was a friend to all of us and will be greatly missed.



Rick Lewis DVM

Team Leader VMAT 2

My good boyhood friend is gone but the many things he did for so many people will never be forgotten. He truly was a gifted person in his personal life and his vocation. He had a way at hard times to make everything okay as he did for so many members of my family over the years. We were all blessed to have had him with us and will never forget him or his family in our prayers.

Chris, I am so sorry to hear about your father's death. Treasure the memories that you have.



Kim

My sincere condolences on the passing of my 1961 St. Vincent's classmate to Tom's family, friends and associates. He has taken care of many people, both in death and in life,and will be truly missed. His many accomplishments show a legacy of service to numerous organizations and individuals. May he rest in peace.