We choose to remember!
Harry W.L. Shepherd, Sr. (July 21, 1952 - June 8, 2021)
Harry W.L. Shepherd, Sr. (July 21, 1952 - June 8, 2021)
Harry Wingfield Louthan Shepherd, Sr. (Pete), age 68, surrounded by family, went to be with the Lord on June 8, 2021. He was a US Navy Veteran, owner of Shepherd’s Waterfront Properties, and a proud member of the GHS Class of 1970. He is both a Mayflower and a Jamestown descendent. He had a relative who was killed at the Alamo. He is a Ruritan Forever and a Tom Downing Fellow. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Richard Thomas and Mrs. Mildred Louthan Shepherd, and brother in law, John Stanley Clements, Sr. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Lou; sister Almeda Clements; brother Thomas (Ginny); sons, Peter Todd (Betsy), Harry Wingfield Louthan, Jr (Melissa); and Cameron (Natalie); 7 grandchildren: Peter Thomas, Lucy, Mason, Eli, Locksley, Winston, and Harry Wingfield Louthan Shepherd III.
Also survived by godson Matt Molter, sister in law JoAnn Nystrom (Jon), and brother in law Bruce Hogge (Karen). Also survived by Niece Carroll Ann Lewter (John), Nephew Stan (Julie), Great nieces Matison, Grace, and Carlie, and Great Nephew Jack. Pete’s brothers by different mothers are Don Molter, Arthur Carr, Eugene Washer, and 3 Lawrence brothers Larry, Bill, & Lew.
Pete was smart, witty, and a natural born leader, organizer, and spontaneous orator. He was President of the Gloucester-Mathews-Middlesex Board of Realtors; President of the Gloucester Point Rotary Club; President of the Abingdon Ruritan Club; Board President of Jamestown Education Center; Ruritan Zone 4 Governor Chesapeake District; Ruritan Lieutenant Governor Chesapeake District; Board Member & Secretary Treasurer, Chesapeake Bay & Rivers Association of Property Services. Pete was a Mason in Urbanna Royal Arch Chapter No. 59 and Penn-Neck Commandry No. 33 Knights Templar of Virginia. He was a member of the Gloucester Historical Society, Colonial Corvette Club, Middlesex Shooting Sports Club, INO Hunt Club, & the INO Hearts Group. In his spare time he played tennis, bridge, planned bus trips to Dover Delaware, hunted, fly fished and traveled with Mary Lou. More than anything, Pete was renowned for his love of people. He loved entertaining in the pool house, steaming clams and crabs, grilling burgers, making his famous tomato pie and veggie salad.
The ladies loved his Cosmos! He loved his wife, his kids, and his grandkids. He loved UVA Sports, especially men’s basketball. He loved to give a hand to anyone who needed something. He treated people equitably. He was an honorable man. Pete was a fighter. Twice he thwarted cancer. The first time he was President of the Abingdon Ruritan Club and while taking chemo and radiation, he presided over the club, did not miss a board or membership meeting and served with distinction by being recognized nationally as a top Club President. The second time, he had to have a bone marrow transplant and was a “poster child” for VCU. When asked how he was able to endure so much, his stock answer was “Believe in the Lord, Trust your doctors, and follow their instructions—no need to kick and scream and ask why me”. The last time the big C came calling it was with a diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia—the worst diagnosis of all. Pete knew that this time, he was going to be with the Lord sooner than he expected. And so it was. On the morning of June 8th, he proclaimed to Mary Lou & the Doctors that he wanted to go home—his Heavenly Home. At 4 52 pm he was with Jesus. A Going Home Service, conducted by Rev Sven vanBaars, will be held Saturday, June 12, 11:00 am at Abingdon Episcopal Church, 4645 George Washington Memorial Highway, Gloucester, VA 23061. Pete loved 4-H from youth through adulthood. If you wish to honor Pete, you may make a contribution to Jamestown 4-H Education Center, 3751 4-H Club Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185.
Interment with Masonic and Military Honors will commence immediately after the service, followed by a Celebration of Life with Food and exchange of “Pete” stories at the Abingdon Ruritan Club, 8784 Guinea Road, Hayes, VA 23972. Andrews Funeral Home in Gloucester is in charge of arrangements.
NEWPORT NEWS - Douglas M. Wheeler passed away peacefully on Monday, October 12, 2015. His wish to pass on in his own home, in his own bed, with his wife and family by his side was fulfilled. He was born on October 30, 1943 in Langley Field. He grew up in Hampton and graduated from Hampton High School (Class of 1962). That same year he started working for Newport News Shipbuilding, a career that spanned over forty years. He started as a pipefitter, worked up to superintendent/manager of Welding services and ended his career in welding engineers. He was a member of The Mariners Club and was granted a U.S. Patent in 1996 for his work on a new and useful invention. He loved to work on cars and was
very mechanically inclined. He could fix or make anything he put his mind to. His garage was his "man cave", fixed up just the way he wanted it. Everyone commented on it and his grandchildren loved to spend their time with him there. At the age of forty, he decided to take up the game of golf. None of us thought that would last, but he proved us wrong. He became addicted to golf. He and his wife, Jenny, moved to Kiln Creek and he could walk right out the back door to play - he loved it. His dream of owning another Corvette during his lifetime was also achieved. He joined the Colonial Corvette Club and enjoyed many trips and events with the club. Over and above everything else, Doug loved his family first and foremost. He was very proud of his son and his daughter and their accomplishments in life. His grandchildren loved and adored their "Pa Pa". They had such great times together, each with such different and unique personalities. Anyone who just met Doug or knew him for a long time admired his positive attitude and courage in fighting his cancer for the past twelve years. This is what made him survive for longer than expected and we have all been so grateful for that. Doug was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Travis P. Wheeler and Jeannette Flythe Wheeler. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer J. Wheeler; son, Larry D. Wheeler (Patti); his daughter, Amy E. Bornhoft (Jack); two sisters who worshipped their big brother, Judy Carolyn Dyson (Jim) and Brenda W. Lively (Dan); his precious and beloved grandchildren, Christine, Christopher, Rebecca, Joshua, Jackson and Madison; great-grandchildren, Bryce, Shawn and Brooke; and many other family and friends. The family will receive friends from 12:30-2:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at Peninsula Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 18 at 2:00 p.m. at Peninsula Funeral Home, followed by a Celebration of Life to honor Doug at the Kiln Creek Country Club from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Please feel free to come in casual golf attire if you wish. Doug wants everyone to enjoy the buffet, socialize and remember all good times shared. Doug, you are my one and only true love, soulmate and best friend. I love you and miss you and look forward to the day we can be together again. Until then, I know you are at peace and being welcomed with open arms by all your family and friends who have gone before you. Thanks to Dr. Mattern, Dr. Chang and Mary at VOA for their care of Doug, also to Riverside Hospice and all of our network of friends and neighbors who loved Doug. In lieu of flowers, the family request that you make donations to the Colon Cancer Challenge Foundation at 10 New King Street, Suite 202, White Plains, NY 10604 or visit www.coloncancerchallenge.org. Arrangements are in the care of Peninsula Funeral Home.