James W. Shepherd Jr.'s Obituary
James W. Shepherd Jr., age 77, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, passed away surrounded by loved ones on Saturday, June 13, 2026. He was born in Canton, Mississippi, to parents James Sr. and Myrtle Ruth (Nelson) Shepherd on August 31, 1948. He graduated from Louisiana Tech with a degree in Business.
Jim was a devoted Christian whose faith in God guided his life and the way he treated others. He loved his family deeply and always made them the center of his life. During his college years, he enjoyed playing football, a passion that reflected his competitive spirit and love of teamwork. He also had a lifelong love for the outdoors, especially fishing and hunting, where he found peace, adventure, and countless memories with family and friends. He spent his early working years as a mechanic on the oil rigs. Then later, as a maintenance supervisor at McKee Foods. He will be remembered for his strong faith, kind heart, unwavering love for his family, his dedicated service to his church, and the lasting impact he made on everyone who knew him.
He is preceded in death by his parents and first wife, Janet Shepherd.
James is survived by his loving wife, Jana Shepherd; two sons, Greg Shepherd and his wife, Jessica, and Blake Shepherd and his wife, Diana; his sister, Barbara Hood; three brothers, Mike Shepherd, Nelson Shepherd, and John David Shepherd; and four grandchildren, Evan and Emily Shepherd, and Jackson and Jude Shepherd.
A memorial service celebrating James’s life will be held at Springdale Adventist Fellowship Church on Saturday, July 11, at 2:30. The meal will be served at 12:30.
Instead of flowers, the family asks that you join us in celebrating James' life. If you wish to honor his memory, donations may be made to Springdale Adventist Fellowship Church, 4001 W Don Tyson Pky, Springdale, AR 72762.
He was a valued member there for many years. His ministries were: Elder, Prison Ministry Head, School Treasurer, Bible study leader, Food Pantry Director, and much more.
What’s your fondest memory of James?
What’s a lesson you learned from James?
Share a story where James' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with James you’ll never forget.
How did James make you smile?