John David Shepherd
John David Shepherd of Ogden, Utah passed peacefully on February 23, 2025 at the age of 81.
Son of John Morgan and Genevieve Mitchell Shepherd, John was born on July 10, 1943 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
He is survived by his sisters Margaret Jane, Betty Jean, Karen Leslie and his brother Frank Mitchell Shepherd and over 120 descendants of John and Genevieve. His sister Alycesun Dee Shepherd (Brimhall), Gale J. Brimhall, Marion (Hunsaker) wife Susan Lee and son Jay Dee Shepherd.
Always serving others throughout his life, he served his family growing up in Hobble Creek Canyon, Utah and Mesa, Arizona. He served the Native American community as a missionary in the Central States Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He returned to Brigham Young University (BYU) after his LDS mission where he studied Education, Speech and Drama and earned a B.A. in Fine Arts. He was a lead performer in many plays and traveled with the International Folk Dancers. It was at BYU that he honed his skill in performance and the spoken word that later served him in public speaking and leadership positions.
On March 16th 1968, he was married and sealed in the Mesa, AZ Temple to Bonnie Jean Allen of Burley, Idaho after meeting at BYU.
They furthered their education at ASU for a MA degree, and both became teachers in Fontana, California. He taught English, gym and debate and she taught elementary children. He was also the institute director for CES at USC. After many moves to different states including Arizona, California, Virginia, Michigan, then Utah, John and Bonnie divorced in 1998.
John began to rebuild his life and was introduced to Susan Lee Wendahl and on February 22, 2003 they were married and later sealed in the Ogden, UT Temple.
John David, as he was known by his siblings, was a curious, creative soul that believed in developing talents and practical skills. He continued to learn new things until he breathed his final breath. These skills were taught to his five children David Todd, Tyler Allen, Amy Marie, John Adam and Jay Dee. This creativity traveled through his daughter and son through marriage Tricia and Todd Tippets, his children through marriage including Suzette Lee McArthur, Ashley Heather Orvin, Jeffrey Allen Andrews and his grandchildren Aleea Maree married to Chandler Mckell Paulsen, Jayde Elyse married to Camden William Beers, Jefferson Tyler, Sarah Marie, Jaydee Adam, Allen Jeffrey “AJ”, Jefferson Tyler, Sarah Marie, Josephine, Eva Lyn, Nicole Ashley Rude’, Nicholas Andre Rude’, Anna Elizabeth (Tippets) Montgomery, Alexander Richard and Andrew Todd Tippets.
John David had a “CAN DO!” approach to life and that translated in his various civic duties and church callings.
He was a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, friend, counselor, coach, mentor, educator, storyteller, radio talk show host, theatre actor, entrepreneur, deal-maker, salesman, politician, debater, fundraiser, inventor, rancher, horseman, leather worker, jeweler, farmer, gatherer, cook, a lover of family, heritage, people, animals, nature, Jesus Christ and God.
In lieu of flowers please do a kind act of kindness or service for someone.
Viewings will be held on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025 from 7 to 8:30 pm and Saturday, March 1st from 10 to 11:30 am, funeral service will be held at 12 pm. All will be held The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3271 West 2550 South, West Haven, UT 84401.
John will be buried next to his sweetheart Susan Lee Wendahl Shepherd and his son Jay Dee Shepherd at the Logan Cemetery,1000 North 1200 East, Logan, Utah at 3 pm.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.myers-mortuary.com