"My father didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it." -Clarence B. Kelland

John Nicholas "Nick" Shepherd

Dec. 12, 1945-Sept. 1, 2007

Age: 61

Residence: Eaton

Tribute: Mr. Shepherd was born in Greeley to Billie Lou and John Earl Shepherd. He grew up in Greeley and graduated in 1964 from Greeley High School, where he played football and wrestled.

After graduation, Nick attended college for one year and then joined the U.S. Navy in January 1966. He served aboard the U.S.S. Tinosa SSN 606, a fast attack nuclear submarine. On April 9, 1966, he married Louise Reichert in Greeley. On Feb. 5, 1970, Nick was discharged from the Navy, and he then settled his family in Eaton.

Nick worked for Kodak for 32 years. He retired from the Eaton Volunteer Fire Department after 22 years of service, three years of which were as Fire Chief. Nick was currently serving as president of the Eaton Fire Protection District Board. He belonged to the Eaton Jaycees for 10 years and the Eaton Band Boosters.

His favorite hobbies included hunting, fly fishing and watching his children and grandchildren in sports. He loved the Broncos and a good debate with anyone. Nick died Saturday at North Colorado Medical Center after a five-year battle with ALS, also called Lou Gehrig's Disease.

Survivors: His wife, Louise Shepherd of Eaton; three daughters, Denise Shepherd-Castillo and husband Joe of Eaton, Kimberly Kimbrough and husband Kody of Friona, Texas, and Ashley Bredemeier and husband Keddy of Eaton; a son, Mark Shepherd and wife Amber of Evans; his mother, Billie Lou and stepfather Virgil Baxter of Greeley; his stepmother, Frances Shepherd; a sister, Sue Good and husband Bob of North Carolina; one brother, Pat Shepherd and wife Diane of Greeley; his mother-in-law, Dorothy Reichert of Greeley; two brothers-in-law, Floyd Reichert and wife Janet of Greeley and Marvin Reichert and wife Paula of Windsor; and grandchildren, Autumn and Brandon Castillo, Kendall and Kambree Kimbrough, Izaiah, Izak and Zaidyn Shepherd, and Quinn Bredemeier.

Preceded in death by: His father, John Earl Shepherd; grandparents Icel and Herschel Brooks and Laura and Everett Shepherd; and father-in-law Alex Reichert.

Services: 10 a.m. Tuesday at First Congregational Church of Eaton, 325 2nd St.

Notes: Contributions may be made to the Eaton Fire Department or the Nick Shepherd Memorial Fund c/o Allnutt Macy Chapel, 702 13th St., Greeley, CO 80631. View the online obituary and sign the family guestbook at www.allnutt.com.