Ronald "Ron" Geary Sheppard

Ronald Geary Sheppard entered into eternity with his Lord and Savior on July 21, 2025 at age 85 at the Fountain Brook Assisted Living/Memory Care, in Midwest City, Oklahoma. Born August 17, 1939 in Wetumka, Oklahoma, he was the younger son of Geary Mickey Sheppard and Lula Lillie Towery Sheppard. His early years were spent playing pool with his older brother Tommy in the family’s pool hall run by his dad and eating his mom’s famous chili and homemade pies at the lunch counter. His mom taught him the value of hard work; he would hoe peanuts and corn, pick and chop cotton, bail hay and gather eggs. Known by all his Wetumka friends as “Dunk,” Ron graduated Wetumka High School in 1957. As a teenager, Ron joined the Army National Guard and was honorably discharged after 16 years of service, achieving the rank of Sergeant First Class. After graduating from high school, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Education in 1961 and a Master’s Degree in Teaching in 1967 from East Central University.

At East Central University, he met his college sweetheart, Wanda Lee Woody Sheppard, and he asked her on a first date to go “open a keg of nails.” Wanda didn’t know exactly what she should wear for such an event, but it didn’t stop her. Three months later, on January 16, 1959, they got married. For those who may not know, a keg of nails, once opened, cannot be closed again. Ron and Wanda remained happily married for 41 years until Wanda’s death on March 30, 2000. From their marriage, two daughters were born, Nova Dawn Sheppard Bivens and Michelle Ronae Sheppard Simmons. A loving father, Ron was committed to “his girls” and his role as the spiritual head of the house. He strove to honor the Lord in all he did, both at home and in his work. Ron was industrious; he was a home builder and woodworker, and he built two homes for himself and many other homes over the years. He taught his daughters the value of hard work, just like his mother taught him. Even at the tender ages of 5 and 8, Michelle and Nova Dawn were hard at work as “carpenter’s helpers” when Ron & Wanda built the house on Park Street in Seminole. Always committed to bettering his community, Ron ran for and was elected to serve his fellow Seminole-area citizens in the Oklahoma State Legislature for the 1979-80 term representing District 28.

Over the years, Ron taught thousands of students in the public school system. A gifted teacher, he was passionate about helping others realize their potential and learn to think critically. A lifelong educator, Ron first taught high school in Pueblo, Colorado, but then moved back home to Seminole, OK after fulfilling his one-year teaching contract. Ron taught at Seminole High School, Shawnee High School, Konawa High School, Tecumseh High School, Pleasant Grove High School, Seminole Junior College (when it was located on the 3rd floor of Seminole High School). He was instrumental in starting the Alternative School program for behaviorally-challenged and educationally lagging students in the Shawnee School District, working one-on-one and meeting kids where they were, teaching many high school students how to read. He taught all sciences, math, industrial arts, and vocational carpentry. While Ron was out and about in the community, he would frequently run into former students and his impact as a teacher could clearly be seen in how his students reminisced fondly of their time in his classes and life lessons he taught them. He was a good teacher, but he also had a reputation for being a “tough” teacher who wouldn’t let students get away with anything. Those former students would, to a person, acknowledge that they knew Mr. Sheppard truly cared for them and wanted the best for them.

Around 1968, Ron and Wanda, while raising their daughters in Seminole, felt God working in their hearts, and they began to attend First Baptist Church in Seminole. As the Lord continued to grow them in their faith, Ron and Wanda began to teach youth Sunday school and focus on the spiritual development and discipleship of the youth, building a lay ministry of mentorship and discipleship. 2 Timothy 2:2 was Ron’s life verse: “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” Later, he continued to teach adult and senior adult Sunday School classes; Ron loved sharing God’s Word with others at the churches he attended through the years. He believed the Lord had called him to live up to his name and “sheppard” the Lord’s flock by serving as a deacon, meeting people’s physical needs and taking care of the “widows and orphans.”

Wanda was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 1983, and when she became too ill to be on her own, Ron took early retirement to become her full-time caregiver until she passed away. Utilizing his woodworking talents and gifts, Ron could often be found in his woodshop working on various projects to make Wanda’s life easier and better. Despite these difficult challenges, Ron sought to glorify the Lord in every circumstance, and served as an example of sacrificial love for his family in how he cared for Wanda.

After the death of his beloved wife, Wanda, the Lord made it clear that He wasn’t through with Ron yet, and Ron attended a GriefShare program at church and it was through this group that the Lord provided Ron a new helpmate, Lequita Graves Sheppard. Once he and Lequita were married on January 19, 2001, they teamed up to provide counseling for couples struggling in their marriages through a program called DivorceCare. Ron was always fixing things; he would help the senior citizens center, the church, and widows who needed a handyman. Several years ago, Ron was diagnosed with cognitive impairment, and Lequita was his full-time caregiver until September 2023, when he moved into an assisted living facility for his safety. Even in assisted living, God used Ron. He quickly became the favorite of everyone with his ready smile and sweet spirit. In the last few months, he experienced a rapid decline and lost his ability to communicate with words, but nonetheless he was loved by all who he encountered. The Word of the Lord was imprinted in his heart, mind, and spirit through many years of disciplined Bible study, and he reflected the love of God in every smile or pat on the arm.

Ron never met a stranger. Whether he was at the grocery store or at church, Ron was always the first person to reach out and introduce himself, seeking to make others feel comfortable and welcome. He was fond of telling corny “dad” jokes and loved to make puns, usually causing his family members to groan. Ron was incredibly charming and warm, and those who met him often found themselves sharing with him a difficult prayer request or a need in their life. If it was within Ron’s power to give, either of his time, his talents, or his finances, he would. His faith showed up in acts of service and words of encouragement, and Ron could frequently be found at his church, repairing and remodeling the buildings, and encouraging others to live out their faith in Christ.

Ron loved being a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and prayed without ceasing for his “kiddos.” Over the years, Ron crafted and made many woodworking gifts for his family, treasured family heirlooms which continue to remind us of his legacy of faithful commitment to the Lord and his family.

The legacy of Ron Sheppard continues through his family. He leaves behind his wife, Lequita; his daughters, Nova Dawn Bivens and husband, John Bivens; Michelle Ronae Simmons and wife, Cindy Knippers; and step-daughters Kimberly Martin Walls and husband Steve Walls, and Kara Martin Shook and husband Paul Shook. Ron answered to “PawPaw” and “Pops” and “Grampy” by his eight grandchildren: Lindsey Bivens Granados (Ian), Grant Bivens (Cynthia), Jessie Simmons Nielson (Brian), Jamaie Simmons Westbrook, Kord Walls (Kelly), Katy Walls, Karsyn Shook Standridge (Luke), and Kooper Shook (Abbey). He was further blessed to have 13 great-grandchildren: Evie Leigh Granados; Walter, Emercyn, Hazel and June Bivens; Jordon and Knox Lowe; Henlee and Drake Westbrook; Maverick and Maggie Walls; and Kenady and Josie Standridge.

Ron Sheppard was preceded in death by his parents, Geary and Lula Sheppard, his older brother, Tommy Sheppard, and his first wife of 41 years, Wanda Lee Sheppard.

A life of faithful service and commitment to his Savior, he is now truly “home” for an eternity of glorifying the Good Shepherd. “The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me to lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake…Surely your goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell I the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:1-3, 6).

A Celebration of Ron’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 4, 2025 at Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel in Seminole, Oklahoma. Services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma.