Larry Dean Shepard

Larry Dean Shepard, 65, of rural Newton died on Wednesday, November 13, 2019, at his home. Family and friends will gather to celebrate his life that was full of jokes and shenanigans from 2-4 p.m., Sunday, November 17, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory.  A military committal service will be held at 9:30 a.m., Monday, November 18, at the Iowa Veteran’s Cemetery in Van Meter.  In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Jasper County Animal Rescue League may be left at the funeral home.  

Larry, the son of Donald Eugene and Nelda (Tolle) Shepard, was born on February 1, 1954 in Charles City.  He grew up in Nashua working for his dad’s business, Shep’s Standard Service Station.  Larry was baptized and confirmed in the Methodist Church in Nashua.  He graduated from Nashua High School in 1972 and then served his country in the U.S. Marines from 1972-1975.  After returning from the service Larry lived in Nashua for a short time and then moved to Las Vegas.  While in Vegas he worked as a Water Treatment Engineer.  Later Larry returned to Iowa and worked as a machinist at GMT and in maintenance at the VA Central Iowa Healthcare System in Des Moines. 

Larry loved animals and his dog ”Scruffy” was his favorite (only) “son”.  He also enjoyed boats, tractors, and fishing.  He also could be found partaking in a good buffet.  Larry was a prankster and loved to make people laugh and smile.

Those left to carry on his wit and mischievousness are his two daughters, Ashley Shepard (Devin Joblinske) of Newton and Jennifer (David) Theis of New Hampton; grandchildren, Lily, Bentley, Jasmine, Ethan, Dawson, and Levi; mother, Nelda Shepard of Henderson, Nevada; and his brother, Jim Shepard of Henderson.  He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Shepard and sister, Debra Brymer.  

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