Leroy Shepherd, Jr.

Leroy Shepherd, Jr. was born on September 21, 1953 in Columbia (Richland County), South Carolina.  He took the glorious journey to be with his God on Friday, April 5, 2024 in Lexington, South Carolina.

Leroy (affectionally called ‘June’ by his family) attended public schools in Columbia, South Carolina.  He was a proud member of the 1971 graduating class of Booker T. Washington High School.  In high school, he was a popular member of the Tornado football team where he played wide receiver.  Throughout the years, he and his classmates remained in close touch with one another.

After high school, Leroy enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He completed basic military training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, at Parris Island, South Carolina. He proudly served his country as a Rifleman at Camp LeJune, North Carolina. 

After an honorable experience of military service in the US Marine Corps, Leroy returned to Columbia.  For many years, he worked at the Richland County Solid Waste Department. He also worked a variety of jobs with Richland County Labor Finder, where he excelled professionally from everything to reading architecture plans, repairing doors, landscaping yards, and reading and understanding blue prints.  Later, he moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, and worked at Ross Stores, Inc., until his health and medical conditions rendered otherwise.

As with all of us, Leroy experienced many struggles in his life.  He also enjoyed many joys, and would always be willing to give the shirt off his back to any member of his family.  He will always be remembered as an intelligent critical thinker, an excellent Bid Whiz player (and he always bragged about it), an avid, focused chess player and a staunch protector of his family.

Leroy is preceded in death by his beautiful teen-aged granddaughter, Tiffany Amber Cleckley (November 2011), and his loving parents, Leroy Shepherd, Sr, (January 1961) and Henrietta Rivers Shepherd (June 2019).  He adored Tiffany and his Mother and Father.

He leaves behind a loving family to cherish precious memories.  His children, Leroy “Roy” Shepherd, III and Vonetta “Von” Shepherd Cleckley Thorne, both of Sumter, SC.; his Grandson, Jackson Kinnard Thorne of Sumter SC; his sisters, Dr. Loretta Maxine Shepherd Glasgow of Crestview Florida, and Constance Elaine Shepherd Goldsberry of Columbia SC;  his special friend, Lois Thomas of Charlotte, North Carolina; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends who will always remember him for having a big heart and always being protective of everyone he loved. 

We are going to dearly miss him; however, as a family, we feel profound comfort in knowing that He is now with God.

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