Obituary of Alan Sheppard Jr

Donald “Alan” Sheppard, Jr. died on January, 20, 2024. He was preceded in death by his father, Donald “Donnie” Sheppard, Sr., and grandparents, Lucille and Carl Sheppard and Irene and Irvin Gwinn. He is survived by his wife, Nicole, and children, Gage, Ireland, and Cash Sheppard; parents, Kitty and Joseph Butler; siblings, Richard (Barbara) Butler, Danny (Tabitha) Butler, and Jennifer (Ben) Jacobs; and dozens of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. 

Alan was born in Nashville, Tennessee and attended Antioch High School. He was a wrestler and self- proclaimed sharp dressed man. He loved music, pool, hockey, and had many friends. While slightly more-tame later in life, he was still loud and playful, often causing everything in the house to shake while rough housing with his sons and nephews. When surrounded by family, Alan was known to crack jokes, poke fun, and instigate the wrapping paper fight on Christmas Eve.  

Besides his family, Alan’s other passion was cooking. Both because he loved to eat and because he loved to feed others. For many years he earned a living in the food service industry, holding every imaginable job in the back of house from cook to manager. More recently, he exchanged his professional apron for the one he wore while passing on his culinary skills to his daughter, Ireland. For the last 9 years, Alan worked at West Rock, where he started as a machinist/line worker. He was later promoted to Team Lead and then Training Facilitator, a job he held with pride. 

Alan was very loved, and he will be missed by everyone who knew him. 

The family will accept visitors on Friday, January 26 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Funeral service to follow at 6:00 p.m. at Sellars Funeral Home, Lebanon TN.

Sellars Funeral Home, Lebanon TN, 615.444.9393.