James Joseph Shepherd

James Joseph Shepherd, age 79, returned to his mother’s loving arms after 71 years, following a valiant 10-year battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.  Jim was born in Norton, Kansas to Benjamin Vincent Shepherd and Marie Elizabeth Bierbaum on November 24, 1937.  Jim graduated from Yuma High School (forever a proud Yuma “Criminal”) in 1956. He was a member of both the football and wrestling teams for California’s Antelope Valley College and the University of Utah.  
Jim married Gwendolyn Bjorkman in Bountiful, Utah on August 9, 1960 and together they raised three children. Soon after his marriage, he was drafted into the Army and was stationed in France during the Berlin Crisis.  Jim played on the Army’s International Football Team until injury ended his football career.  He then graduated from California Polytechnic Institute. Jim enjoyed a successful career as a leader and expert in the field of Refrigeration Engineering.  Most notably, he secured a U.S. patent for his innovative Sanforset System.  Jim was a leading member of the IIAR and ASHRAE and also contributed to the designs for the bobsled and luge runs for the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City. After 38 years of dedicated service to Lewis Refrigeration and Toromont Industries, Jim enjoyed a well-deserved retirement.
Jim became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on January 13, 1979 and faithfully served in the church in various capacities throughout his life.  On his 20th wedding anniversary, Jim and his family were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple (August 9, 1980).
Above all else, Jim was especially proud of his life’s most important work as a husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle.  His first priority in life was supporting the members of his family in any way he could. The greatest joys of his life were spending time with his family, helping others, hard work, Diet Coke, and his summer home in Pinedale, Wyoming. Jim’s favorite hobbies included fishing, hunting, hiking, singing in the ward choir, serving as the local VFW President, and repairing anything and everything.
Jim and his family are deeply indebted to the incredible team of caregivers from Caregivers Support Network who have blessed the family beyond measure throughout his battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.  Jim will greet each of them on the other side with a warm handshake and hug.
In lieu of flowers, Jim’s family asks that you continue his legacy of serving others by helping a neighbor, reaching out to family, repairing something that is broken, or donating to the Alzheimer’s Association at ALZ.org.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents, sister LeeAnn, brother Richard, and nephew Dallas.  He is survived by his wife Gwen, and sister Judy (Michael). Children: Sherilyn Sauve (Centerville), Kirk (Bountiful), and Natalyn (Centerville). Grandchildren: Lynaya (Andrew), Tyler James, and Amanda Marie. Great-Grandchildren: Lynlee, Dax, and Lynelle. Sisters-in-law: Marilyn and Carolyn. Nephews: Harold, Jeffrey, and Kevin. Nieces: Susan, Deborah, Carmen, Ladena, Brenda, and Denise.
A viewing will be held on Friday, January 27, 2017 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 North Main Street, Bountiful. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 28, 2017 at 11:00 am at the Porter Lane LDS Chapel, 435 West 400 South, Centerville, where family and friends may visit  from 9:45-10:45 that morning.  Jim will be interred at Lakeview Cemetery located at 1640 Lakeview Drive in Bountiful.