J.C. “Shep” Shepard Jr., 89, of Social Circle, passed to be with his beloved wife of 50 years Elizabeth “Liz” Clay Shepard on August 25, 2014. Born December 20, 1924, he was the son of the late James Curtis Shepard and Jessie V. Shepard Studdard. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Bill Shepard.

Educated in the Social Circle City School system, he attended the University of Georgia before enlisting in the U.S. Army during WWII, serving in the Pacific Theater. Upon returning to Social Circle, he was a farmer, businessman, developer and civic leader. Due to his 28-year service on the Social Circle City Council, along with his financial generosity, he led much of the infrastructure development of present day Social Circle. As a lifelong member of Social Circle United Methodist Church, he donated the entire property of his adjoining home place for church expansion. He was a dedicated choir member, celebrating the Lord through his love of music, performing weekly singing for 24 years at a local Alzheimer unit and even a solo church performance marking his 80th birthday. He was a charter member of the Social Circle Lions Club as well as a founding member of the Covington Elks Club. Shep was a 60-year member of the Dawson Masonic Lodge 68, achieving the level of York Rite Shriner.

Shep is survived by his loving family, daughter Callie Shepard Moreland, of Monroe, son Jim and Elaine Shepard, of Monroe, and daughter Nancy Shepard and Dr. John McKissick, of Athens. He is further survived by his wife of 17 years, Margie Gray Shepard, and step son, Conner Gray, of Atlanta, and step daughter, Angie Gray, of Covington.

Shep and Liz have seven grandchildren: Rob (Kelly) Dally, Clay (Melinda) Dally, Whitney M. (Brock) Crain, Matt Shepard, Lindsay Shepard (Josh) Stovall, Chase (Heidi) McKissick, Mary Ann McKissick (Michael) Hermosillio, and nine dearly loved great grandchildren.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 26 from 6-8 p.m. at Meadows Funeral Home in Monroe. Funeral services will be Wednesday, Aug. 27 at 11 a.m. and the Social Circle First United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at Social Circle city Cemetery.

Meadows Funeral Home, Inc. was in charge of arrangements. Please sign the guestbook online at meadowsfuneralhomeinc.com.