Thomas F. Shepherd, 84, of Salinas, passed away Monday, June 25, 2012. He was born November 15, 1927 in Springfield, Massachusetts to James Shepherd and Davina McCann Shepherd who had recently immigrated to the United States from Scotland. At the onset of the Great Depression the family returned to Scotland and Tom was raised in Dundee.
Tom's journey back to the United States began in 1945 when he became eligible for the British military draft. He made the decision to exercise his American birthright and made his way from Scotland to London to enlist in the U.S. Army. He served in Europe and later in Korea participating in 5 major campaigns with the 7th Infantry Division. These campaigns included the battles at Inchon and Chosin Reservoir. Tom was twice decorated for valor and was presented the Silver Star and Distinguished Service Medal.
Tom's military career eventually brought him to Ft. Ord where he met and married the love of his life, Blanche Shimpfky, in 1954. Tom and Blanche lived in Carmel for a short time before moving to Salinas where they raised their three children. They were married for 52 years.
In 1956, Tom made the decision to pursue a career in law enforcement and he joined the Monterey County Sheriff's Office one year later. He initially served the department as a Deputy before becoming a Detective Sergeant in 1961. Tom retired in 1976 as Assistant Chief of Detectives and Chief Homicide Investigator.
Friends and family knew of his devotion to his country and to the freedoms that he successfully defended during his lifetime. His sly sense of humor and hearty laughter will also be fondly remembered.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Patricia Scheffler, and his wife, Blanche Shepherd (2006).
He is survived by his children, Tom (Karen) Shepherd of Salinas, Kerry (Mark) Forwalter of Chico, Meg (Gary) Vollema of Trout Lake, WA, and eight grandchildren.
A Memorial Service for Tom will be held at 1:00PM on Saturday, July 7, 2012 at Struve and Laporte, 41 W. San Luis St., Salinas, CA 93901.
Donations can be made to Make-A-Wish Foundation, www.wish.org/help/donate/, or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, www.lls.org/waystohelp/donate/donateonline/.
Tom's journey back to the United States began in 1945 when he became eligible for the British military draft. He made the decision to exercise his American birthright and made his way from Scotland to London to enlist in the U.S. Army. He served in Europe and later in Korea participating in 5 major campaigns with the 7th Infantry Division. These campaigns included the battles at Inchon and Chosin Reservoir. Tom was twice decorated for valor and was presented the Silver Star and Distinguished Service Medal.
Tom's military career eventually brought him to Ft. Ord where he met and married the love of his life, Blanche Shimpfky, in 1954. Tom and Blanche lived in Carmel for a short time before moving to Salinas where they raised their three children. They were married for 52 years.
In 1956, Tom made the decision to pursue a career in law enforcement and he joined the Monterey County Sheriff's Office one year later. He initially served the department as a Deputy before becoming a Detective Sergeant in 1961. Tom retired in 1976 as Assistant Chief of Detectives and Chief Homicide Investigator.
Friends and family knew of his devotion to his country and to the freedoms that he successfully defended during his lifetime. His sly sense of humor and hearty laughter will also be fondly remembered.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Patricia Scheffler, and his wife, Blanche Shepherd (2006).
He is survived by his children, Tom (Karen) Shepherd of Salinas, Kerry (Mark) Forwalter of Chico, Meg (Gary) Vollema of Trout Lake, WA, and eight grandchildren.
A Memorial Service for Tom will be held at 1:00PM on Saturday, July 7, 2012 at Struve and Laporte, 41 W. San Luis St., Salinas, CA 93901.
Donations can be made to Make-A-Wish Foundation, www.wish.org/help/donate/, or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, www.lls.org/waystohelp/donate/donateonline/.
Thomas F. Shepherd, 84, of Salinas, passed away Monday, June 25, 2012. He was born November 15, 1927 in Springfield, Massachusetts to James Shepherd and Davina McCann Shepherd who had recently immigrated to the United States from Scotland. At the onset of the Great Depression the family returned to Scotland and Tom was raised in Dundee.
Tom's journey back to the United States began in 1945 when he became eligible for the British military draft. He made the decision to exercise his American birthright and made his way from Scotland to London to enlist in the U.S. Army. He served in Europe and later in Korea participating in 5 major campaigns with the 7th Infantry Division. These campaigns included the battles at Inchon and Chosin Reservoir. Tom was twice decorated for valor and was presented the Silver Star and Distinguished Service Medal.
Tom's military career eventually brought him to Ft. Ord where he met and married the love of his life, Blanche Shimpfky, in 1954. Tom and Blanche lived in Carmel for a short time before moving to Salinas where they raised their three children. They were married for 52 years.
In 1956, Tom made the decision to pursue a career in law enforcement and he joined the Monterey County Sheriff's Office one year later. He initially served the department as a Deputy before becoming a Detective Sergeant in 1961. Tom retired in 1976 as Assistant Chief of Detectives and Chief Homicide Investigator.
Friends and family knew of his devotion to his country and to the freedoms that he successfully defended during his lifetime. His sly sense of humor and hearty laughter will also be fondly remembered.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Patricia Scheffler, and his wife, Blanche Shepherd (2006).
He is survived by his children, Tom (Karen) Shepherd of Salinas, Kerry (Mark) Forwalter of Chico, Meg (Gary) Vollema of Trout Lake, WA, and eight grandchildren.
A Memorial Service for Tom will be held at 1:00PM on Saturday, July 7, 2012 at Struve and Laporte, 41 W. San Luis St., Salinas, CA 93901.
Donations can be made to Make-A-Wish Foundation, www.wish.org/help/donate/, or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, www.lls.org/waystohelp/donate/donateonline/.
Tom's journey back to the United States began in 1945 when he became eligible for the British military draft. He made the decision to exercise his American birthright and made his way from Scotland to London to enlist in the U.S. Army. He served in Europe and later in Korea participating in 5 major campaigns with the 7th Infantry Division. These campaigns included the battles at Inchon and Chosin Reservoir. Tom was twice decorated for valor and was presented the Silver Star and Distinguished Service Medal.
Tom's military career eventually brought him to Ft. Ord where he met and married the love of his life, Blanche Shimpfky, in 1954. Tom and Blanche lived in Carmel for a short time before moving to Salinas where they raised their three children. They were married for 52 years.
In 1956, Tom made the decision to pursue a career in law enforcement and he joined the Monterey County Sheriff's Office one year later. He initially served the department as a Deputy before becoming a Detective Sergeant in 1961. Tom retired in 1976 as Assistant Chief of Detectives and Chief Homicide Investigator.
Friends and family knew of his devotion to his country and to the freedoms that he successfully defended during his lifetime. His sly sense of humor and hearty laughter will also be fondly remembered.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Patricia Scheffler, and his wife, Blanche Shepherd (2006).
He is survived by his children, Tom (Karen) Shepherd of Salinas, Kerry (Mark) Forwalter of Chico, Meg (Gary) Vollema of Trout Lake, WA, and eight grandchildren.
A Memorial Service for Tom will be held at 1:00PM on Saturday, July 7, 2012 at Struve and Laporte, 41 W. San Luis St., Salinas, CA 93901.
Donations can be made to Make-A-Wish Foundation, www.wish.org/help/donate/, or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, www.lls.org/waystohelp/donate/donateonline/.
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