My friend Everitt
A few days before I heard about Carmen’s passing, I heard from my dear Susan that her father, Everitt Shepherd, had gone home to be with Jesus. So many people I know are heading to the party that will never end. It makes me a little homesick for a place I have never been yet!
It is early morning in Chicago and as I am waiting for the kids to wake up for our next adventure I am reflecting on Ev.
What can I say about Everitt?
When Jim and I were candidating for ministry positions at Scottsdale First Baptist in 1985, we first met Ev and Jan Shepherd. There were so many people we were interacting with on that short visit, but their questions and comments were so meaningful and insightful that they stood out to us, both the comments and the couple! At the time, I was unaware that they were the parents of Steve, who we had met as he was on the search committee.
Once we joined the staff and moved to Arizona, the Shepherds were among the first and most generous friends we made. Even then, I had yet to meet their eldest, Susan, who would become my lifelong friend. They took us on many day trips and helped us acclimate to life in the desert, even learning to see the beauty hidden there. We enjoyed their hospitality and learned so much from these two clever and talented people who loved God and missions.
Ev Shepherd was a gifted teacher, who loved languages and who was able to offer a deeper understanding of cultures. As a fellow language learner and lover, I appreciated his ability to foster a respect for missions and sharing the gospel. Ev was also a remarkable communicator of God’s Word. His deep and unwavering faith was evident in all aspects of his life and family. Ev was more than a teacher; his intelligence and strength of character both demonstrated the transformative power of a life dedicated to both scholarship and God.
Ev had a deep faith. His life reflected God’s love and grace, inspiring others to pursue lives of purpose and integrity. He embodied the principles of faith, showing kindness, compassion, and a desire to uplift others.
Ev was a family man, and I felt like I was part of his extended family as I too was nurtured intellectually and spiritually and continue to be through the legacy of his kids. Though I already miss him, I am so happy that he is now experiencing God’s grace and joy in new ways, and I look forward to many adventures and conversations in heaven!