West Virginia Pioneers

Major General Jack William Sheppard

Male 1931 - 2018  (86 years)


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  • Name Jack William Sheppard 
    Prefix Major General 
    Born 8 Aug 1931  [1
    Gender Male 
    Died 13 Apr 2018  [1
    Buried Albuquerque, Bernalillo, New Mexico, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Notes 
    • MG Jack William Sheppard
      BIRTH 8 Aug 1931
      DEATH 13 Apr 2018 (aged 86)
      BURIAL
      Sunset Memorial Park
      Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico, USA Add to Map
      MEMORIAL ID 189386947
      Jack Sheppard, age 86, retired Air Force Major General and former Wing Commander at Kirtland AFB, (1979-1981) passed away April 13, 2018.

      General Sheppard was known for his love of nation and family. A command pilot with more than 7000 flying hours, General Sheppard flew 302 combat missions flying AC-47 gunships in Vietnam. General Sheppard received his commission from the University of Akron, OH in 1955 with a bachelor’s degree in education. His master’s degree in public administration came from George Washington University. His decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross and Bronze Star.

      He is survived by his son, Greg; grandchildren, Christopher, Sophia and Jake; and his daughters-in-law, J. Marie and Debbie Sheppard. Also touching Jack’s life was his West Highland Terrier – Barney.

      General Sheppard was preceded in death by his loving wife, Norma Ann (Stutler); his son, Bradley; and his grandson, Mathew.


      MG Jack William Sheppard
      BIRTH 8 Aug 1931
      Parkersburg, Wood County, West Virginia, USA
      DEATH 2016 (aged 84–85)
      Cedar Crest, Bernalillo County, New Mexico, USA
      BURIAL Unknown Add to Map
      MEMORIAL ID 128184684 ·

      NOTE: This memorial was transferred to THR at the originator's initiative. Whether General Sheppard is deceased and if so, where his remains were deposited, are unknown.

      Major General, United States Air Force. He received a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Akron in 1955 and a master's degree in public administration from The George Washington University in 1965. His service schools include Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He was commissioned through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program and entered active duty in March 1955. General Sheppard then completed primary pilot training at Malden Air Force Base, Mo., basic pilot training at Reese Air Force Base, Texas, and advanced multiengine training at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. Between July 1956 and January 1961 the general was stationed at McClellan Air Force Base, Calif., and flew more than 4,000 hours in RC-121s. In 1960 he completed Squadron Officer School and returned to the school as an instructor in April 1961. General Sheppard completed Air Command and Staff College in 1965. He received training in AC-47 gunships in August 1965 at Hurlburt Field, Fla. Two months later he reported to the 1st Air Commando Squadron, Bien Hoa Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, flying 302 combat missions in AC-47s with that unit and later with the 4th Air Commando Squadron. The general was assigned to the 5th Allied Tactical Air Force in Vicenza, Italy, from October 1966 to June 1970. He then transferred to Headquarters Military Airlift Command at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., as chief of presentations. He became commander of the 76th Military Airlift Squadron at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., in July 1973. While there, he was named the 437th Military Airlift Wing's assistant deputy commander for operations in September 1974 and later became the wing's deputy commander for operations. In June 1976 General Sheppard transferred to Travis Air Force Base, Calif., as 22nd Air Force's assistant deputy for operations, becoming vice commander of the 60th Military Airlift Wing at Travis in June 1977. He took command of the 1606th Air Base Wing at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., in February 1979, and in July 1981 he became director, international staff, Inter-American Defense Board, Washington, D.C. General Sheppard was named Military Airlift Command's deputy chief of staff for personnel in July 1982 and in December 1983 he became the command's chief of staff. In August 1985 he was assigned as commander of 21st Air Force, McGuire Air Force Base, N.J. He assumed his present duties in June 1987. The general is a command pilot with 7,000 flying hours in both single- and multi-engine aircraft. His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with 10 oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal. He was promoted to major general Feb. 16, 1985, with date of rank March 1, 1981. He completed 34 years of service, retiring from the Air Staff in the Pentagon.

      Spouse Birth Date: 15 Jan 1932
      Marriage Date: 4 Sep 1953
      Marriage Place: Summit, Ohio
      Spouse Mother's Name: Hattie Hill
      Spouse Father's Name: Harold K Stutler
    Person ID I116219  WVPioneers
    Last Modified 15 May 2018 

    Father James Lee Sheppard,   b. 5 Mar 1906, Wirt County, Virginia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 9 Oct 1967, Akron, Summit, Ohio, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 61 years) 
    Mother Audrey Irene Heiney,   b. 6 Sep 1909, Hocking County, Ohio, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 7 Feb 1973, Akron, Summit, Ohio, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 63 years) 
    Married 3 Aug 1925  Athens County, Ohio, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [2
    Notes 

    • 1930 Parkersburg, Wood, West Virginia
      Sheppard, James L 23 md age 18 WV WV WV
      Audrey wife 20 md age 15 OH WV WV
      James C son 4 1/12 OH WV WV
      Raymon C son 2 8/12 OH WV WV
    Family ID F29001  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Norma Ann Stutler,   b. 15 Jan 1932,   d. 16 Apr 2014  (Age 82 years) 
    Married 4 Sep 1953  Summit County, Ohio, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [3
    Notes 

    • Summit County, Ohio, Marriage Records, 1840-1980
      Name: Jack William Sheppard
      Gender: Male
      Marriage Age: 22
      Birth Date: 8 Aug 1931
      Birth Place: Barkersburg, West Virginia
      Marriage Date: 4 Sep 1953
      Marriage Place: Summit, Ohio, USA
      Father: James L Sheppard
      Mother: Audrey I Heiney
      Spouse: Norma Ann Stutler
      Gender: Female
      Marriage Age: 21
      Birth Date: 15 Jan 1932
      Birth Place: Salem, West Virginia
      Father: Harold K Stutler
      Mother: Hattie Hill
    Family ID F29651  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Sources 
    1. [S898] Gravestone or Memorial posted on Findagrave.com.

    2. [S1095] Ancestry DNA Family Tree.

    3. [S847] Summit County, Ohio, Marriage Records, 1840-1980.