Coach Jack Shepard

Jackie “Jack” Francis Shepard, Jr, 65 years of age, traded his whistle for his wings and departed this Earth, October 26th, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Jack was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia, to Jack Shepard, Sr., and the late Ethel Lorraine Carpenter Shepard, and spent his life living and serving in the Spotsylvania County area.

He leaves behind his Beautiful Wife of 31 years, Kelly Yeatman Shepard, and children - Allison Rozewicz who blessed him with grandchildren Alainnah and Asher, son Jesse Shepard who granted him his youngest grandsons Maverick and Brody, and youngest daughter Caitlyn, who gifted him grandsons Peyton and Tucker. Also shouldering this tremendous loss are his faithful, loyal siblings – Tony (Kristi), Mark (Cie), Paula (Billy), and Roger (Julie) and a host of nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

After spending most of his childhood and schooling in the city of Fredericksburg, Jack graduated from Spotsylvania High School in 1977, where he solidified his love of the game of football. Jack began working as a boy delivering newspapers around the age of 10, and never stopped, working for several local employers including the Sheraton Inn Fredericksburg, Fredericksburg Distributing, and J.F. Fick where he worked as a “beer man”, ultimately establishing a career as a “damned ol’ truck driver”, which he loved. After driving for a handful of companies in the area, he began working for McLane Mid-Atlantic where he remained until he retired. Ever an avid storyteller, Jack recounted volumes of stories about his various employs, touching the lives of many he encountered along the way.

In the winter and spring when Jack wasn’t in the driver’s seat, he could be found in the woods hunting, most often with his brother Tony, his bonus brother Dale Payne, and his lifelong friend and mentor, Donnie Payne, as well as many others from the hunt clubs where he dedicated so much of his time. Jack loved the peace of the woods, the wonder of nature, and the pride in calling up a great big gobbler. He also loved to fish, first in the brooks of Williamstown, Massachusetts with his father and cousin Robin as a boy, and later in life with his brothers, his children, and his grandchildren. He loved the outdoors, and he kept busy with any and every project that kept him in his element.

Summer was no different, shifting his focus to the annual family beach trip, spending a week with his favorites in the Outer Banks. Here he was most often found people watching from the balcony with his morning coffee, meticulously stocking coolers, napping on the beach, and spending all his “fun money” on Pepsi, Cheez-Its, and unnecessary beach equipment during his daily trips to Walmart and Wings. In fact, these daily trips are so ingrained in the beach trip tradition that Jack could regularly be seen managing “grandkid Tetris” to get as many small people in Grampa’s truck that seating would allow. Few things in life were more rewarding to him than having a grandkid or two accompany him on even the most mundane of errands, usually resulting in a Costco pizza, a chili dog, or some Jimmy T’s.

While he was always a literal “Jack of all trades” and could be found completing any number of handyman projects for countless people he considered more as family than friends, his true calling was coaching. Touting a career that spanned over four decades and at least three sports, “Coach Jack” created a legacy of growing leaders, scholars, and community-focused individuals – emphasizing the development of the person was even more vital than the skills being taught. He poured his heart and soul into his teams and expected no less in return. Decades later Jack would still be cheering for his former players as they earned college degrees, began careers, continued in sports, married, and became parents and coaches themselves. There was no victory too small to be celebrated, no loss too great to overcome.

A visitation for Jack will be held Friday, November 15, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Mullins & Thompson Funeral Service, 1621 Emancipation Hwy, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401. A celebration of life will occur Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Mullins & Thompson Funeral Service.

In lieu of flowers, the Shepard family requests you practice kindness - help a neighbor, give your time, call a loved one, share a cup of coffee, attend a youth sporting event – leave where you are better than you found it. Please also consider a donation to the Coach Jack Memorial Fund for Youth Sports, c/o your local Atlantic Union Bank, established in Jack’s honor as a way to continue to give to the community through providing equipment, supplies, and supports to underfunded programs that foster Coach Jack’s ideals.