John Stuart
Sheppard

John Stuart Sheppard, husband, best friend, father and grandfather was born to Henry Campbell Sheppard and Phyllis Minhinnick Sheppard on August 21, 1946 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. In 1950 John and his family immigrated to the United States and settled in Eugene, Oregon, where Harry opened a foreign car dealership, Sheppard Motors.

John attended Harris Elementary, Roosevelt Middle School and South Eugene High School, graduating in 1964. With their parents' blessing John and his good friend Doug Malkasian departed for London, England to work for a year before beginning college at the U of O. Returning to London in June of 1967 to work for the summer, John met his future wife, Linda Albrich, on the airplane returning to London where she also worked for a year. They married in 1969 and lived in El Paso, Texas for a year where John was serving in the U.S. Army as a Second Lieutenant at Ft. Bliss. John received orders for Vietnam in 1970 and was stationed at Long Binh, the area of Vietnam that was most heavily saturated with Agent Orange, which was attributed to the cause of his prostate cancer that led to his death on April 8, 2016.

Harry and Phyllis Sheppard rolled away in their motor home in 1971, leaving John at the helm of Sheppard Motors when he was 25. He continued to steer the dealership for almost another 35 years before selling the business to Phil and Lisa Speers in 2010.

John was a man of honor and integrity. He believed in giving back to the community that gave much to him. John served as President of the Chamber of Commerce, President of the Downtown Rotary, was instrumental in the success of the Great Rotary Duck Race, Chaired the Capital Campaign for the Relief Nursery Building in Eugene and was a member of the Board of Stewards for the Relief Nursery. John and Linda began the Children's Legacy Fund, an endowment championed by John to provide perpetual support for the Relief Nursery's mission to strengthen parents and keep children safe. He was honored to be the First Citizen of Eugene in 2009. He supported the arts, music and veteran's causes in our community.

John relished his time with friends and family on the golf course, skiing, riding his bike and hiking. He enjoyed sports cars, especially the fast, red kind. John loved to travel the world with Linda, family and friends and enjoyed time in Oregon at Black Butte Ranch and the coast.

John is survived by his wife Linda, daughter Julie (Andy Caplan), granddaughter Abby and grandson Levi. Son Alex (Virginia Portillo-Sheppard) and granddaughter Camila and one sister, Catherine Snyder.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Children's Legacy Fund for the Benefit of the Relief Nursery (Eugene/Springfield).

A Celebration of Life honoring John will be held on Saturday, June 4 at The Venue 252, 252 Lawrence, Eugene at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow.

Arrangements in the care of Sunset Hills Funeral Home, Eugene, OR.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Eugene Register-Guard on May 29, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for John Sheppard

7 Entries

Allen Johnson

May 23, 2024

I just reread what I submitted previously. That summarizes my feelings so well that there is nothing I need to add. I still miss John terribly.
Allen Johnson

Scott Aikins

August 30, 2022

Six years later, I hear of John's passing today. Very sad. I work for ADP/CDK and I was the Field Engineer that installed their first Server for running Sheppard Motors business. John worked with me and made me feel right at home. The install had some hurdles but we got everything working. I remembered him (John) over the years and spoke with him every so often. We both liked fast cars! His kindness and compassion will not be forgotten. Rest in peace, Dear Sir.

Peggy and Jeff Barton

June 16, 2016

Jeff and I so loved our Sun Valley skiing vacations with John and Linda! Wonderful powder skiing, exciting dinners and just good fun with each other!!! Loved teasing John and his flying squirrel ski hat with mufflers! He truly will be missed and all of his family are in our hearts and prayers!!!! Much Love, Peggy and Jeff Barton

Jeff Robinson

June 1, 2016

John defines "community" for me. He was one who loved our community and gave so freely to make our world better. Thank you John. We are inspired by you!

Frank Ferrogine

May 31, 2016

John was always the voice of reason and helped me tremendously in growing my business and making it what is is today
I will be forever grateful
Part of my memory of John will be the great time we had on our Bandon Dunes golf trip
R.I.P

STOBs at Whistler

Allen Johnson

May 30, 2016

John was a dear friend. He was a natural leader who did not seek the spotlight but whose actions deserved the praise he received. He saw opportunities and recruited others to improve systems and programs. He believed in giving a hand up but recognized that there were times when a hand out was necessary.
John was a gentleman who avoided vulgarity; he enjoyed sitting and observing the conversational play but could join in with passion or humor as the circumstances dictated. He was calm but not shy; humorous but not crass; a ski buddy who could be depended on to lead or follow, whooping down through the trees.
John was respectful of people with different political opinions and willing to discuss his own views without rancor. John had the personal strength to share his deepest fears and gravest worries.
I have only one regret. I am sorry that John and I did not have the opportunity to become friends years earlier. Twylah always said that there was no one she would like me to spend time with more than John.

Robert Scherer

May 29, 2016

John was such a warm, compassionate man! We have many fond memories of events that we attended and many more of John and Linda's encouragement and support in the early years of our twin's lives. His memory will live on through the many good deeds he accomplished for our community.

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