Daniel Robert Shepherd November 16, 1944December 13, 2020 Daniel "Danny" Robert Shepherd, 76, beloved husband, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, passed away on December 13, 2020 due to complications from a recent injury. Danny was born at Wesley Hospital in Oklahoma City on Oklahomas Statehood Day, November 16, 1944. He was born to First Lieutenant Robert G. and Helen Gae Jones during World War II. Robert was a musician in a band and a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force. Tragically, his plane went down in Manila Bay, Philippines and was never recovered. Helen returned to the United States with her two young boys, 5-year-old Danny and 3-year-old David, while expecting a daughter, Judy. Years later, Helen married Derald Shepherd, a friend she had known from a rival high school. Derald quickly grew to love her children and adopted all three of them. Eighteen years later, Danny gained a second younger sister, Laura. From the time he was a young man, Danny loved the mechanics of things. Even at a young age, he was extremely curious about how and why things worked; he once asked for a broken radio for Christmas so that he could repair it. During his teen years, a neighbor introduced him to the world of aviation. Dan would go with him to the airport to fly and work around the hangar. By age 15, Dan was working on his pilots license, and he quickly knew that his passion for flying would shape his career. In 1963, he graduated from College High School in Bartlesville, OK, and then attended a two-year college. Soon, he was trying to convince his parents that flying, not college, was for him. Dan and some high school friends signed up to join the U.S. Army on a whim, but it didnt take long before he realized that, based on his true passion, he should have joined the U.S. Air Force. He put in a transfer to join the U.S. Air Forces Reserves through the Oklahoma Air National Guard at Will Rogers Field. In 1966, he attended an airline pilot training school in Tulsa, OK. From 19671979, he became a self-employed pilot and worked as a corporate pilot for Pacific Oil & Gas. Dan accrued flight hours whenever he could and earned an airframe and powerplant certification that he maintained throughout his life. Then, following a recommendation from a family friend, he applied for a job at Baptist Medical Center as a nursing assistant. During this brief career break from flying, Dan met his future bride, Sue Barrett, who was working as a nurse. They married in 1973, and Dan became stepfather to two children, Ervin and Lisa Barrett. Dan retired as a Master Sergeant from the military in 1985. After working for various maintenance, repair, and overhaul facilities, he concentrated his energies on corporate flying, becoming the chief pilot for companies including Bogert Oil, Matt Hoffman, and Mathis Brothers. Due to his high technical capabilities, he earned a special exemption from the Federal Aviation Administration that allowed him to fly solo in what is typically a two-pilot jet aircraft. His wife earned a real estate license and together they bought and sold properties. Dan and Sue enjoyed frequent trips to Colorado as members of a Four-Wheel Drive Club. Dan was a soft-spoken, kind, and generous man. He never bragged or exploited his achievements, so while his accomplishments are many, he was very humble and private about his successes. He was a devoted son, taking personal care of his mother for many years when her health declined, and he gave the same loving care and attention to his bride of 47 years. His kindhearted nature and dry wit will be sorely missed. Dan was preceded in death by his father, Robert Jones; mother, Helen Earley; adoptive father, Derald Shepherd; brother, David Shepherd; and stepson, Ervin Barrett. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Sue Shepherd, OKC; sisters, Judith Clopp, Yukon, OK, and Laura Shepherd-Madsen (Pete) Mustang, OK; stepdaughter, Lisa Shaw, OKC; step-grandsons, Blaine (Cindy) and Sam Shaw, OKC; step-granddaughter, Amber Shaw; niece, Paula Ward (David), Yukon, OK; nephew, Matthew Clopp (Shannon), Yukon, OK; and extended cousins. The funeral services will be held virtually via a link through Mercer-Adams on Sunday, December 20th at 2 pm, with interment in Rose Hill Cemetery. In keeping with Dans philanthropic nature, in lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to your favorite charity. . Funeral Service Mercer-Adams Chapel Sunday, December 20, 2020 2:00 PM 3925 N. Asbury Bethany, OK 73008 The service will be live-streamed and available to watch on this obituary page