Robert Jack Shepard

1927 - 2014

Robert Jack (Bob) Shepard peacefully went to be with our Lord on Feb. 11, 2014. He had battled cancer off and on for many years and eagerly looked forward to his journey to heaven. Bob was born on May 9, 1927, in Plainfield, N.J., and could have been born anywhere between Los Angeles and Plainfield as his parents lived in California, but were on a train trip to New Jersey. At the age of 17, he joined the U.S. Navy and boot camp was in San Diego, followed by Yeoman School. He spent his Navy career in educational services, helping servicemen earn their high school diplomas. After the Navy, he opened a furniture store in Rosemead, Calif., where he also became president of the Rosemead Chamber of Commerce. He later expanded into a new business, opening The Expectation and Juvenile Shop and Miss Petite. He loved real estate and purchased many buildings on Valley Boulevard, the main street of Rosemead. He lived with his son, Cory, who attended school in Arcadia. He received his real estate license in 1966, opened many offices including May Realty, Century 21 and Prudential California Realty, throughout Southern California. For many years he taught adult education real estate classes at Citrus College in Azusa, Calif. The love of his life, Joyce, was a student in one of his classes. They were married Feb. 23, 1975, and in 1978 they purchased a home in Coronado, Calif. Together they acquired many more properties, mostly "fixer-uppers," which they would repair and sell. Bob truly loved the real estate business. He is survived by his wife of of 39 years, Joyce; his son Cory and his wife Gloria and three stepsons, Craig and his wife Bobbi, Kirby and his wife Nancy, and Steve and his wife Stella; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. His sister Anny Lyman and her husband Stan, of South Carolina, also survive him. He also leaves his "best friend and constant companion, Buffy," a loving maltipoo. His brother, Charles Shepard, predeceased Bob. Bob was as Shriner and an active member of Friendship Church, in Sun City, Palm Desert. At a later date a memorial will be held at Friendship Church. The family would like to thank the staff at The Fountains of Carlotta, for the wonderful care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Friendship Church Mission Fund at 38-180 Del Webb Blvd., PMB78, Palm Desert, CA. 92211, or Shriners Hospital.

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