Victor SHEPPARD

Victor J. Sheppard, age 63, passed away on January 1, 2009 in Phoenix, Az. Vic's life was dedicated to "protecting and serving" his country, his family, his friends and fellowman. He definitely loved people and enjoyed life to the fullest.Vic grew up traveling around the country, spending a great deal of time in Arizona, Louisiana and California. After high school graduation in Sacramento, CA, he began his life in uniform in October of 1964 when he enlisted in the US Navy. He completed basic training in San Diego, CA. His first ship was the USS Topeka, CLG8 where he was a designated rescue swimmer. In the late 60's he completed two tours in Vietnam as an accomplished hard-hat diver, spent time on a river patrol boat and served with the late Admiral Zumwalt's security force. In 1971 he was privileged to pipe aboard the first crew on the newly commissioned USS Mt. Whitney LCC20. The following year he completed jump school in Lakehurst NJ and joined VF121 at the Naval Air Station Miramar, CA. In 1976 Vic was honored to be chosen as one of the original Navy Master-At-Arms when the rating was formed. He was made an honorary Seabee upon his completion of 4 years with MCB 4 out of Port Hueneme, CA. As the War in the Gulf escalated in the early 1980's Vic served several 7 to 9 month deployments aboard the USS Wabash, AOR5 in the Persian Gulf. In 1985, the Navy Times listed his name among those joining the retirement ranks, BUT, the Chief of Naval Operations requested that he withdraw those orders and report to Lakehurst, NJ for one last duty--the development of the Navy's first Security Force training school. Finally, on his 42nd birthday, September 1, 1988 he officially retired with 23 1/2 years of proud service.The next 10 years were spent as the Loss Prevention Manager for TJ Maxx Distribution Center in Evansville, IN. Once again he was back in uniform spending 9 years as a Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Reserve Officer. He especially loved the summers patrolling on the Ohio River.In 1998, Vic relocated to Arizona and was employed with the Central Arizona Project. In 2002, at 56, he graduated from the Police Academy and became a POST Certified Arizona Police Officer. It was a job he truly loved. In October 2006, he was forced to retire on a medical disability from Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Even with this terminal diagnosis Vic never lost his need be there for others. In spite of his illness, he continued to serve by volunteering with the Minutemen along the Arizona border near Tucson.The outdoors was his second home. Vic loved to fish and like all good fishermen the "big ones" were always the ones that got away! Time spent on the lake was fabulous. He had always said that when he finally retired he would grow a mustache, have a ponytail, travel around the country and ride a motorcycle! Well, he pretty much did just that--even with a fake ponytail! He love time spent with his biker friends. He loved pulling the trailer across country, revisitingfamily and friends and old stomping grounds. The only unfulfilled item on his "bucket list" was owning a corvette!He is preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Rebekah Sheppard-Sutton; parents Cora and CJ Sheppard; brothers Robert Sheppard and Wallace Sheppard.Surviving are his wife of 37 years, Bettye J. Sheppard, daughter Jennifer Lyn Sheppard; son-in-law Justin Sutton and granddaughter Taylor Raine Sutton all ofLake Havasu City, AZ; grandson Justin Victor Hyde, granddaughter Mary Victoria Gunterman; in-laws Bob and Mary Lou Watson, all of Evansville, IN; and brotherLoran “Lefty" Sheppard of Yuma, AZ; nieces, nephews, brother-in-law and sisters-in-law.A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2009 at 2:00 pm in the King Arthur Room of the London Bridge Resort. Military honors will be directed by the Lake Havasu American Legion and VFW. Please join us in this Celebration as we share Vic's love and life. Any contributions made will be donated to the American Legion, VFW or Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation in his honor.