Tribute
Bobby Lee Shepherd, 86, of Durham passed away on Monday January 31, 2022 at the Lenoir UNC Health Center in Kinston. He was born in Durham County a son of the late Lillie McFarland Shepherd and Hallie Shepherd.
Bobby was a Veteran of the U.S. Army. He was drafted into the Military in July of 1958. After completing his basic training in Fort Sumter, SC, he would serve as Commander Driver at Fort Baker in Sausalito, CA. In his final year of service, he served in the Infantry in South Korea. He was honorably discharged from service in July of 1961.
After serving in the Military, Bobby started his lifelong career working as a floor and countertop installer. He would provide subcontracting services for many companies over the course of his career.
In his younger days, Bobby was a big sports fan. He enjoyed watching football on Sundays. He also enjoyed supporting his favorite local team, the Duke Blue Devils. Later in life, his hobby was working in his yard. He loved living at his home in Durham.
After many years of suffering with Dementia, Bobby would eventually have to leave his home and move to the State Veterans Home in Kinston. After having surgery for a partial hip replacement, Bobby passed away with complications from Covid and Aspiration Pneumonia.
A graveside funeral service will be held at 2 o’clock Thursday afternoon February 3, 2022 at the Markham Memorial Gardens, 4826 Trenton Road Chapel Hill, NC 27517.
Mr. Shepherd is survived by his daughter, Karen Merritt and her husband Doug Merritt of Wake Forest; grandchildren, Korey Merritt and his wife Ashley Merritt, Keelan Merritt of Wake Forest; great grandchildren, Miles Merritt of Wake Forest.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Wake Forest, NC (919-556-5811)