Jack Edward Shepard

On Monday, July 21, 2025, Jack Edward Shepard, precious child of God, died in the arms of his beloved wife, Dominique. He was born on August 21,1953 to parents Eugene and Ruth Shepard in St. Louis, Missouri. He spent most of his childhood years growing up on Grandin Lane with his parents and sisters Christine, Lisa, Barb, and Ellyne. He graduated from St. Louis Country Day School in 1971.

Jack graduated from Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia with a degree in Biblical Studies. While at Covenant Jack met his first wife. After their marriage they settled in the St. Elmo neighborhood. Jack's years in St. Elmo were marked by his involvement in community life- organizing and assisting with neighborhood gardens and aiding in the start-up and operation of a food co-op. The couple also became foster parents of Robert, Clyde, and Chris Bedwell, Wesley and Johnny Smith, sweet Tanya and others during the years preceding the arrival of their two sons Frank and Evan.

In 1990 Jack moved the family to State College, Pennsylvania where he completed his master's degree in geography with a concentration in meteorology at Penn State. When they returned to Chattanooga, Jack taught as an adjunct professor at UTC, Covenant College and Chatt State for some years before leaving academia to pursue his passion for horticulture. He joined NK Lawn and Garden as an agronomist . When their Chattanooga office closed, he began work at The Grass Is Greener Lawn Care company.

Jack met his second wife, Dominique, when she was visiting Chattanooga over Thanksgiving weekend in 2009. Their almost four-year, long-distance courtship spanned Chattanooga, Miami, Savannah, Chicago, Bradenton, and various other locales as the couple was committed to seeing each other every six weeks. In 2013 Dominique moved to Chattanooga and in November of that year she and Jack were married.

They traveled as much as they could with their busy schedules. They took many long trips to see family and friends, particularly to be with their wonderful grandchildren. They also enjoyed destination travel in order to experience new parts of the world.

Jack's devotion to Christ was shown in his devotion to others. Matthew 25: 31 - 46 explains that those who serve the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick, or imprisoned are really serving Christ. That was the focus of Jack's life. He volunteered with Habitat for Humanity for over thirty years. He served as a deacon and volunteered in the nursery at his church. Jack was quick to care for orphans, widows, the poor, and others in distress. Later in life he managed the food pantry at New City Fellowship and volunteered at Chattanooga Food Bank, particularly in their food garden.

Jack was known for his life-long love of gardening. He was a member of one of the first Master Gardener cohorts in Hamilton County. His home in historic Ferger Place, his residence for the last twenty years, was known for its verdant lawn and bountiful garden which he generously shared with his community. As a master gardener, he passionately shared his knowledge and enthusiastically rolled up his sleeves, getting his hands dirty helping his neighbors.

Jack has rejoined his parents Eugene and Ruth Shepard with their loving Heavenly Father. He is survived by his wife, Dominique; sons, Frank (Rachael) and Evan (Lucy) Shepard; step-son Ian Tejeda; sisters Christine (Ted), Lisa, Barb (Dan), and Ellyne (Bud); and his precious grandchildren James, Layla, and Scarlett Shepard.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami, a ministry Jack supported for years.

Arrangements entrusted to Hardwick & Sons Funeral Home www.hardwickfuneral.com.