Tommy Ray Shepherd

Tommy Ray Shepherd, beloved husband, father, grandfather, pastor and friend, 81, of Amarillo, Texas passed away on Tuesday, March 22, 2022.

Services will be at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at First Family Church of Amarillo with Rev. Billy D. Nickell, pastor, officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:30 P.M. on Friday, March 25, 2022 at Brooks Chapel in Canyon.

A memorial service will be held at 1P.M., Monday, March 28, 2022 at Tomball Assembly of God, 1101 W. Main St., Tomball, TX 77375.

Tom was born on July 15, 1940, to Jesse Thomas and Marguerite Roberts Shepherd of Dallas, Texas. He graduated Breckenridge High School in San Antonio, Texas, attended Southwestern Assemblies of God Bible College in Waxahachie, Texas, and Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri.

He briefly worked at The Gospel Publishing House in Springfield, Missouri, before starting his full-time pastoral ministry. He pastored Lebanon Assembly of God, Lebanon, Missouri (1964), Faith Assembly of God, Joplin, Missouri (1966-1969), First Assembly of God, Valley Park, Missouri (1969-1975), Central Assembly of God, Seguin, Texas (1975-1982), and Tomball Assembly of God, Tomball, Texas (1982-2007), where he also served as a Sectional Presbyter and later as Executive Presbyter for the South Texas District of the Assemblies of God. Additionally, Tom served on the Board of Directors for the Pleasant Hills Children’s Home in Fairfield, Texas. He celebrated his fifty-year ordination in 2017 with The Assemblies of God. After retirement he continued serving at First Family Church, Amarillo, Texas (senior adult Sunday School teacher or filling in for the pastor), and he enjoyed helping as a pastoral interim or vacation relief at several West Texas churches.

In 1961 Tom met Lois McDaniel, of Springfield, Missouri, and they married June 1, 1962. They had two daughters Connie and Judi. They were married until Lois passed away in April 1996.

On September 18, 1999, Tom married Rosalea Loftin in Canyon, Texas. She partnered with him in ministry for the remainder of his life. He was blessed twice with women who supported his calling with grace, faithfulness, and love.

His hobbies included extensive genealogy research, hunting, photography, watching sports and collecting books. He was an avid reader and enjoyed singing with his rich baritone voice. He passionately loved studying the Bible, preparing and preaching his messages, especially on the book of Revelation, looking forward to Christ’s Return. His sense of humor and mischievous behavior was often displayed in anecdotes, funny stories, and practical jokes that involved his ministerial friends.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Marguerite Shepherd, first wife Lois Shepherd.
He is survived by his wife, Rosalea Shepherd; daughter Connie (Rob) Stewart of Paradise, Texas, daughter Judi (Clay) Kinney of Flower Mound, Texas, son Mike (Donna) Loftin of Beebe, Arkansas, and son Jimmy (Trisha) Loftin of Overland Park, Kansas, grandson Joshua (Alex) Stewart of Spring, Texas, grandson Stephen (Brooke) Stewart of Decatur, Texas, granddaughters Hope and Jillian Kinney of Flower Mound, Texas, grandson Joshua and granddaughter Karlee Loftin of Beebe, Arkansas and grandsons JD and Ethan Loftin of Overland Park, Kansas, great granddaughters Emmaline, Laken, and Madelyn Stewart of Decatur, Texas. He adored and loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

His life’s emphasis was people, and he was a blessing to many. He wanted everyone he encountered to know the Lord. He was a choice servant. He was a good man who lived and served his calling well.
Matthew 25:23

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ “