Joel Shepherd

oel Morgan Shepherd II peacefully passed at the age of 83 on July 28, 2021 surrounded by his loving family. Joel was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on June 19, 1938 to the late Joel Morgan Shepherd Sr. and Suzanne Todd Shepherd. He graduated from Kalamazoo State High School, attended Williams College, and graduated from the University of Texas with a bachelor's degree in Political Science in 1960. While at UT, he served as Grand Master of the Kappa Sigma fraternity and met the love of his life, Jennalie Frances Kleypas of Austin, Texas, whom he married on August 19, 1961. Upon graduation, Joel served in Company C of the 156th Signal Battalion of the Michigan National Guard before beginning a long and successful career as a business entrepreneur. He founded Shepherd Products Company in 1965 as a supplier to the manufactured housing industry and later formed Shepherd Specialty Papers to serve the biomedical research sector. He served as a Board of Director of the Kalamazoo Country Club, the President of the Card Sound Golf Club in Key Largo, FL, the Chairman of the Mariners Hospital Foundation Board of Directors in Key Largo, FL, the Director of the Affiliated Boards of Baptist Health South Florida, and was a Founding Member of the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust. He was also a long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church of Kalamazoo, MI. Joel is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jennalie, and his three children: Michelle Denny of Kalamazoo, MI; Joel (and Patricia) Shepherd III of Norwell, MA; and Andrew (and Amy) Shepherd of Ann Arbor, MI; as well as former son-in-law, John Denny of Mattawan, MI. He will live on in the hearts of his seven grandchildren: Jack Denny of Kalamazoo, MI; Alexander, Katharine, Devin, and Liam Shepherd of Norwell, MA; and Andrew and Austin Shepherd of Ann Arbor, MI. In addition, three siblings survive him: Carole Birch of Kalamazoo, MI; Nancy (and Edward) Fitzgerald of Carmel, IN; and Earl (and Denny) Shepherd of Issaquah, WA. His brother Stephen Shepherd preceded him in death. Joel was an avid and accomplished golfer, earning two state championships with his high school team, two father-son state championships, several father-son Kalamazoo city championships, and a mixed couple Kalamazoo city championship with his sister Nancy. He also relished the great outdoors, an enthusiasm that began in his youth as an Eagle Scout that evolved into a passion for hunting and especially fishing in later years. But most of all, Joel was a passionate family man. He simply adored his family and countless friends and liked nothing better than spending time with them, engaging in stimulating conversation and witty banter. If Joel could have constructed his ideal day, it would have consisted of an early morning with his beloved wife followed by time on the ocean flats of the Florida Keys stalking Bonefish, Permit, or Tarpon with family or friends while solving the world's problems during lulls in the action. A round of golf would then follow in the afternoon, involving some good shots, some bad shots, and lots of commentary on everyone else's shots. The day would then end with lively conversation around the dinner table where Joel would usually embellish the day's catch and accomplishments by his customary 30%. Joel had a remarkable gift of being able to instantly make friends with whomever he met and to easily fill the room with his larger-than-life personality. He considered himself to be a tremendous storyteller, seldom letting the facts get in the way of a good story. And Joel loved a good laugh, which was often the result of playful teasing aimed at those dearest to him. In fact, most everyone considered it a badge of honor to be on the receiving end of one of his jabs. With Joel's passing, a life has been extinguished but a lifeforce of kindness, generosity, and playful spirit endures for all that were fortunate enough to know him. A gathering to celebrate Joel will be held at the Gull Lake Country Club on Friday, September 3, 2021 at 5:00pm. The family suggests that memorial donations can be made to: The Peter Frampton Inclusion Body Myositis Research Fund John Hopkins Myositis Center Development Office Mason F. Lord Building Center Tower Suite 358 5200 Eastern Avenue Baltimore, MD 21224 http://(https//www.hopkinsmyositis.org/gift/peter-frampton-myositis-research-fund/) and/or The Bonefish Tarpon Trust 2937 SW 27th Avenue Suite 203 Miami, FL 33133 http://(https//www.bonefishtarpontrust.org/donate/) Joel and his family were cared for by The Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services, 3926 S. 9th St, Kalamazoo, MI 49009. To view Joel's personalized web page, please visit