James A. Sheppard

James was the first of four children born to James Alexander and Catherine Sheppard, recent immigrants from Antigua, British West Indies. Growing up in Harlem, NY, from an early age he was fascinated by the exploits of early aviation pioneers. His parents allowed him to build model aircraft on the kitchen table, took him to movies with aviation themes, and made it possible for him to meet genuine pilots. James studied hard and passed the rigorous entrance exam to Haaren Aviation High, an early magnet school in the city established to train young men to become pilots and mechanics.

While some of his classmates were hired by the airlines on graduation in 1942, opportunities for African-Americans were limited so he chose to enlist in the military service as soon as he was of age. He had heard about an experimental Army Air Corp program that was preparing Negros to serve overseas during WWII (this group of pilots, mechanics, and ground support is now commonly referred to as the Tuskegee Airmen). Following basic training on Long Island he found himself on a steam locomotive headed for the segregated south and the airfields adjacent to Alabama’s Tuskegee Institute (now University). James was assigned to the 100th Fighter Squadron, trained to maintain the Curtis P-40. After a brief stint working with the P-39 at Selfridge MI, he was reassigned to the 301st FS and shipped overseas to the European theater, arriving around the time of the invasion of Italy. James’ hard work and attention to detail paid off as he was promoted to Crew Chief overseeing work on P-47’s and P-51’s during their lengthy deployment to Ramitelli, Italy. He formed many lifelong friendships living in a five-man tent, as well as a general distaste for camping with his kids later in life. He was honorably discharged after the war with the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Back home in NY after the war, despite his extensive experience, he worked assembling toys and as a postal worker as opportunities for African Americans were limited. His persistence paid off as he finally convinced a hiring manager at Lockheed Aviation to give him a chance working as a flight engineer on their Constellation airliner. He enlisted in the US Air Force Reserve, assigned with the 436th Troop Carrier Wing serving as Line Chief and was honorably discharged with the rank of Master Sgt in 1961. Soon after he began a long career with the Federal Aviation Administration at Idlewild Airport, that took him to the agency’s test facility in Atlantic City, and finally to the GADO office in Portland Maine where he retired as a Safety Inspector in 1987. He held three FAA airmen Certificates. They are; Private Pilot, Aviation Mechanic, and Senior Parachute Rigger.

James moved to Maine with his family in 1972, and was a longtime resident of Westbrook and South Portland Maine, and a member of the Thornton Heights Lions’s Club.

Retirement afforded him the chance to travel, visiting friends and family in NY, NJ, FL, the Caribbean, and France. He was a regular attendee at the annual Tuskegee Airmen conventions, and he attended the Presidential inaugurations in 2009 and 2013 as a special guest of President Obama. He participated in the 2007 awarding of one of the nation’s highest honors, as President Bush presented 300 of the famed airmen with the Congressional Gold Medal in the Rotunda of the Capitol building.

He was in demand as a speaker about his time with the famed Tuskegee Airmen. Over the course of two decades he told the story to hundreds of audiences in more than 20 states and a half dozen foreign nations. In 2006 he was invited with four colleagues to visit his old unit, now serving within the combat zone in Balad, Iraq, and meet troops in West Germany and Kuwait. James took great pride in presentations to young people, encouraging middle and high school students to consider STEM careers in aerospace, with many trips to a school in Houston Texas named for the commanding officer of the 332rd FS.

James Sheppard was predeceased by his first wife Margaret and second wife Lucille in 2006, a brother Walter Sheppard, sister Hyacinth Williams, and step daughter Paulette St. Claire. He is survived by his brother Herbert Sheppard of FL, three sons and a daughter; Arthur Sheppard of Riverdale NY, Robert and his wife Deb Sheppard of Kittery, ME, Eric Sheppard of Hampton, VA, and Cathy Madison of Washington DC; eight grandkids, Monica Flowers of GA, Helena Flowers of FL, Derrick Flowers of IN, David Flowers of NH, MaryAnn Riordan of NY, Joshua Sheppard of MI, Danielle Sheppard of CA, Devan Turner of VA and a special great granddaughter Kristie Strout of UT.

Friends and family may call from 4-7 PM on August 24, 2018 at Jones, Rich and Barnes Funeral 199 Woodford St. Portland, ME 04103

In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made in his name to Tuskegee Airmen Scholarship Foundation 1816 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90015

To offer your condolences and sign James online guestbook, please visit www.jonesrichandbarnes.com