Thomas Rutledge Shepherd Jr., had passion for baseball

Thomas Rutledge Shepherd Jr., 77, of Bridgeville, died Saturday, April 28, 2018. He was born in Camden, N.J., April 15, 1941.

He was married to the late Ursula Paula Gailing March 4, 1966, until her passing, April 10, 2012. They raised their sons, the late Marcus Shepherd of Philadelphia, Pa., and Steven Shepherd of Crownsville, Md., in the Rancocas Woods section of Mt. Laurel, N.J., where after 34 years, Ursula and Thomas moved to Bridgeville in 2006.

Hard working, passionate and dedicated, Tom served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, and as a U.S. Navy civilian shipwright at the Philadelphia Navy Yard for 30 years.

With a passion for baseball, Tom could be found as a kid on baseball fields around Bellmawr Park, N.J. And as an adult, coaching on fields around Rancocas Woods, playing on church softball fields around Mt. Holly, N.J., cheering his son, Steven, at college fields around Rockland County, N.Y., and later, grandsons at youth fields around Annapolis, Md.

As a devoted Christian, Tom enjoyed singing in church choirs, supporting outreach programs, and small group meetings with his Ursula, and was always quick to volunteer to serve at the First Baptist Church of Mt. Holly and later at Crossroad Community Church of Georgetown.

He passed these qualities along with laughter and kindness to his sons and grandsons, and shared them with family and friends throughout his life.
Tom is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Steven and Erin; and grandchildren, Sawyer and Brody of Crownsville; brother and sister-in-law, James and Kathleen Shepherd of Brigantine, N.J.; nephews Michael Shepherd of Turnersville, N.J., and Greg Shepherd of Phoenixville, Pa., and their families; as well as Ursula's extended family across Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.

A memorial service will be Friday, May 18, at noon, at Crossroad Community Church, 20684 State Forest Road, Georgetown, where friends may call one hour prior to services.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Crossroad Community Church.

Please visit Tom's Life Memorial Webpage and sign his online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.