Obituary
M. Roy Sheppard, 93, a longtime Valley City resident, died Sunday, January 24, 2010, at Mercy Hospital, Valley City. The funeral was held Friday, January 29, 2010, at Epworth United Methodist Church, Valley City. Internment in Woodbine Cemetery will be in the spring of 2010.

Matthew Roy Sheppard was born 1916, in Fullerton North Dakota. He was the son of Nellie (Parke) and Roy Samuel Sheppard. Roy graduated Ellendale High School in 1933 and UND Ellendale with a BS in Music and Industrial Arts in 1939. In 1942 he received a Masters Degree in Education Administration from UND Grand Forks.

In 1939 he married Marie Kloubec of LaMoure. They were married for 67 years before her death in 2006.

Roy taught school for 9 years, in rural Edgeley, Ellendale, Benson, Mn, and Valley City, ND (3 years Jr High Principal). He entered business in 1945 as a partner in Valley Appliance, and in 1950 became sole proprietor of Sheppard's Furniture and Appliance until 1971. In 1964 he founded Cable Services in Jamestown, now known as CSi, which has grown into a communications company providing cable television, broadband Internet, web hosting, web publishing, KCSI TV, computer sales, and phone service for southeast North Dakota.

As a cable television pioneer in ND, he founded and served as President of the ND Cable Television Association and of the 5 state North Central Cable Television Association. In 1985 the NCCTA awarded him the "Ray Davis Award" for his contributions to the region. He served on various committees for the National Cable Television Association. His service to the community included 65 years of active membership of the Valley City Rotary Club, serving as club President & being named a Paul Harris Fellow; serving on the Valley City Board of Education from 1947 to 1963, 12 years as Board President; and 21 years on the Valley City Park Board with 18 years as President.

Roy was an avid hunter and expert shooter, winning numerous local, state, and regional indoor and outdoor rifle & pistol competitions. He was a member of a 4 man shooting team representing North Dakota in a National Rifle Association competition, placing second in the nation.

He is survived by two daughters, Barbara Lang (Art Todd), Jamestown, ND and Cortez, Co; Mary (Thomas) Ritter, Lake Forest, Illinois; Roy A (Christine) Sheppard, Jamestown, ND. Additionally he leaves nine grandchildren: Keith (Tammy) Lang, Wharton, TX; Brian Lang (fiancee Wendy Larson), Jamestown; Todd Ritter (Kate Bandler), Sydney, Australia; Andrew (Katherine) Ritter, Chicago, Il; Colin Ritter (Jillian) Sheppard, Arcata, Ca; Katharine Ritter, Chicago, Il; Susan Sheppard, St Paul, Mn; Amy Sheppard, San Francisco, Ca; Matthew Sheppard, Madison, Wi; step grandchildren: Ric (Kelly) Todd, Fargo; Allison (Brian) Kavanagh, Phoenix; Sean (Jill) Todd, Fargo; and foster granddaughter Karen (Darren) Standen, Rockwall, TX. Roy is also survived by 4 great grand children: Arlo Ritter, Grace and Adeline Ritter, Ruby Sheppard; 3 step-great grandchildren: Noah Todd, Keely Kavanagh, Evan Todd; and 3 foster great grandchildren: Sarah Standen, Nicole Standen, and Lauren Standen. He leaves 3 brothers: Marvin (Jennifer) Sheppard, Los Altos, Ca; Harry (Ruth) Sheppard, Fullerton ND, and Rev Floyd (Pat) Sheppard, Russellville, Ar.

His wife, parents, two sisters, and 4 brothers preceded him in death. Memorials may be sent in Roy's name to:

Medicine Wheel Park - Valley City State University Foundation (101 College Street SW | Valley City, North Dakota 58072 | 800.532.864)

Valley City Rotary Club

Epworth United Methodist Church (680 8th Ave SW, Valley City, ND 58072)
or organization of your choice


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Cards may be sent in care of:
Lerud-Johnson-Schuldt Funeral Home
515 Central Ave North
Valley City, North Dakota 58072
Phone: 701-845-3232

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