Chuck "Butch" Shepard

Henry Charles Shepard, longtime and well known resident of Elmo, passed away peacefully on the evening of May 21, 2026 with his devoted family at his side. Whether you knew him as Chuck, Butch, Shep, Dad, PawPaw or Mayor, he made an instant and everlasting impact on each life with his generosity, humor and wit, kindness and dedication. Chuck was born September 3, 1943 in Elmo, beloved son to James and Myrtle Shepard, He grew up and attended school in Elmo and then transferred to Wills Point High School (because Elmo only had the elementary schools at that point). While attending Henderson County Junior College, Chuck would meet the woman, Georgia, who would set his life on the perfect and pre-destined journey, filled with happiness and success for the many decades they would be together. Georgia’s sweet spirit evened out Chuck’s incredible liveliness and he lovingly called her Cookie. On July 17, 1965, they were married and were blessed with three daughters, each of whom brought perfect balance to Chuck and Cookie’s lives. In 1977, he started his own company, Greater Southwest Interiors, where he oversaw both commercial and residential projects requiring flooring. Chuck’s talent for knowing people AND products gave him a highly sought after reputation for his ability to take any project, big or small, and have the installation done honestly, with integrity and at a value for the suppliers and the client. When not working, Chuck was infinitely dedicated to his communities that he lived and worked in. He was a member of the Lancaster Masonic Lodge #160 along with the James Ladd Burgess Lodge #1305 and was a lifetime member of Scottish Rite and the Eastern Star. While he and Cookie lived in Lancaster, he was elected and served on the Lancaster ISD School Board for 9 years as well as staying active in his daughters’ school activities at their respective campuses. His involvement and commitment to improving Lancaster led him to be unanimously selected for the Golden Gaither Award, an annual, prestigious and community honor presented by the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce and members of the Chamber. After retiring, he returned to Elmo to his land where he baled hay, continued to mentor other flooring colleagues and their companies as well as, once again, diving into the local community organizations to serve. He served on so many civic and non profit groups including being president of the Elmo Water Board, developed a community wide Crime Watch for Elmo, served on the Kaufman County Fire District Board so that Elmo could have one of the most esteemed Volunteer Fire Departments, along with helping Elmo Cemetery become not only a historical memorial of past residents but also an organization concentrated on maintaining the beauty and future for the generations that will follow. A man who endlessly provided for both his family and his friends, Chuck’s example of putting others before himself will be the legacy that everyone who knew him will be proud to carry on in honor of his life. While Alzheimer's did dim a few of his memories, his family takes comfort in knowing that Chuck’s countless acts of service, love and generosity to so many will forever be the greatest memory of a beloved husband, wonderful father and cherished PawPaw. He was joyfully welcomed into Heaven by his parents and his siblings: John Allen Shepard, Nancy Childress, Donna Coker, Delilah Parker, Paul Shepard and George Clower. He leaves his legacy of selflessness to be remembered by his wife of almost 61 years, Georgia ‘Cookie’ Shepard; daughters: Shawn Shepard, Amber Heine and husband, Darrell, Wendy Grantges and husband, Ab; grandchildren: Sara (Jace), Katie, Jessica(Rob), Paige (Vic), Camryn (Shawn), Tallon, Tyson(Melissa), Asa, Baxter(Savannah), Brantly(Paige), Carol and Hank, great grandchildren: Riley, Annalie, Cooper, Avery, Bryce, Lauryn, and Clara as well as several nieces, nephews, other extended family and a host of other friends made over eight decades of living life to the fullest, every day. “This is not farewell, just a pause…” Funeral service for Chuck will be at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, May 28, 2026 at First Baptist Church of Terrell with interment to Elmo Cemetery. His family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at Max Slayton Funeral Chapel. The family would like to thank Chuck’s caregivers, Lena and Mariana, for their tireless care for so many years making both of them as close as family. Also, his family extends their gratitude to the entire staff of Hospice Plus for their commitment in providing assistance and dignity during his hospice journey. For those wishing, donations in honor of Chuck can be made to the Elmo Cemetery Association at PO Box 150, Elmo, TX, 75118 or to Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org.

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Chuck "Butch" Shepard

September 3, 1943 - May 21, 2026