Ray M. Shepherd

Ray M. Shepherd, 89, longtime resident, businessman and civic leader in Fort Scott, and founder of Ray Shepherd Motors, passed away Monday, March 2, 2009, at the Presbyterian Village in Fort Scott.

He was born July 23, 1919 in Booneville, Mo., the son of Ivan R. and Grace (Shipley) Shepherd. He married Mary E. Hoover August of 1941.

Mr. Shepherd, who founded Ray Shepherd Motors in 1952, was a member of the first Christian Church, past president of Fort Scott Industries, Former Chairman of Security State Bank, past president of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, past chairman Bourbon County United Way, a member of Rotary, Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, and White Shrine. He also served as a Trustee of McPherson College, a board member for Mercy Hospital, and two terms as a Kansas State Highway Commissioner during the 1960s. He served the auto industry he loved so much on many Dealer Councils and Advertising Associations, as president of the Kansas Automobile Dealers Association, and nine years on the Board of Directors of the National Automobile Dealers Association. In 1981, he was honored as the Time Magazine National Quality Dealer of the Year at the NADA Convention in Los Angeles.

He is survived by his best friend and wife of 67 years, Mary E. (Hoover) Shepherd; son David R. Shepherd and wife Sharon; a daughter Marylin Warner and husband Jim; grandsons; Andrew and Nicolas Shepherd; granddaughter; Molly E. (Warner) Mosher and husband Trevor; great-grandchildren; Grace E. Mosher and Gannon Mosher; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother Margaret Shepherd; and a sister Louise R. Shepherd.

The Rev. Reed Hartford will conduct funeral services and a celebration of life, 10 a.m., Monday, March 9, at the First Christian Church, 101 S. Judson. Visitation will be Sunday afternoon from 4 p.m. -- 5 p.m. at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made in Ray's memory to First Christian Church, Presbyterian Village Good Samaritan Fund, or Alzheimer's Association - Heartland Chapter. Memorials may be sent to or left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Online condolences may be e-mailed to the family at expressions@konantz-cheney.com.