Daniel Guy Shepard

Daniel Guy Shepard passed away Tuesday, October 1, 2019, at his home in Grants Pass, Oregon. Dan was born December 13, 1947, in Klamath Falls, Oregon. He graduated from Grants Pass High School in 1966, where he excelled in sports.
After high school, he joined the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1969. He was in the 1st Cavalry Division and served in field communications. It was in that capacity he was subjected to Agent Orange. While serving in Vietnam, he earned the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 devices. He didn’t speak a lot about his time in Vietnam, but occasionally he mentioned Da Nang as one of the places he was in.
In 1971, Dan married Irene (Muffi) Hatch in Reno, Nevada. They settled in Grants Pass. He followed his life passion of farming, ranching, and horses.
Dan served on the Board of Directors of Grants Pass Irrigation District. He became the district manager in 1993, retiring in 2002. He assumed that position again in 2004 retired for the last time in 2014. While there, he over saw the removal of the Savage Rapids Dam on the Rogue River. This necessitated trips back to Washington DC, to work with the Federal Bureau of Reclamation. He always strived to achieve what was the best for the Grants Pass Irrigation District.
In retirement, Dan served on the Board of Directors of the Josephine County Fairgrounds, becoming the Chairman of the Fair Board. He served with the Fair Board for 12 years.
He raised cattle and was active with the American Pigeon Union. He was also a member of the Southern Oregon Racing Association. On September 29th of this year, he celebrated a win at Grants Pass Downs with his horse, Chill.
Dan is survived by his daughter, Lynzie Speiser of Grants Pass; son, Mitchell of Grants Pass; brother, Robert (Bob) of Eugene, Oregon; his triplet sisters, Cheryl Shepard of Prescott, Arizona and Cherie Hembree of Snohomish, Washington. He immensely enjoyed his two grandchildren, Rowan and Hunter Speiser.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Gerald Liable.
A memorial service will be held at the Josephine County Fairgrounds, Friday, October 11, 2019 at 3 p.m. and Sunday, October 13th will be Dan Shepard Day at Grants Pass Downs.