Donald Shepherd

Don was my cousin and my best friend and I can't believe he's gone.

He was one of the the most kind and caring men I have had the pleasure of acquainting. I worked with him closely for 10 plus years. He will most truly be missed by many that were blessed with the privilege of having known him. Heaven has gained a perfect angel.

I knew Don from his work with mentally ill individuals in the criminal justice system. He was kind and compassionate and his work for clients was unmatched. I will miss him and I know our clients will as well. It is so hard to find anyone who cares and wants to help make a broken system better. Thank you Don and may you rest in peace.

Don, you have no idea how much you have helped me over the years.  I will miss you so very very much my friend.  I am truly heartbroken.  Give Steve a big hug from me.  Love u!  ❤️

I am so sorry to hear of Don's passing. Don was such a strong advocate for the mentally ill. I knew him through my work as an attorney, and he helped many of my clients throughout the years. Just a few weeks before his passing, while sick and on leave from work, he called me about one of my clients…wanting to help. He always went above-and-beyond for his clients, and his care and compassion were genuine. He was one-of-a-kind and will be missed.

“I will never forget what you said; if Clay Behavioral would just make a position for assistant case manager, you would hire me on the spot. You saw something special in me that I hadn’t seen in myself. I respected you and you respected me as well; that was not an easy feat I tell ya! You were a hard man to impress! That comes with years of experience and I know you’ve seen all sorts of walks of life! You saw my dedication, my drive, my resilience and I saw, in you, who I want to become. We laughed that day in the office for the psychosocial group advocate position meeting and you said “Heather, you are the shift of change that is needed and you would be a very valuable asset to the mental health network!” I asked you one day, Sept. 8th (2020), if you would pull a string or two and give me a one day reprieve for a “Salt Therapy” appointment with the sea! I told you it would be a “Shore Cure!” You loved it! We had that connection, from day one of my freedom, right off the rip! We were both on the same 🌊 wave, the ocean is the sanctuary that cleansed the soul! We connected with music too. You 12/18/19, “Just Livin’” by Sensi Trails; as we pulled away from CCJ. If it were for Cynthia Cook introducing you to my case, I would be a sitting duck rotting away. The last time I spoke to you, you had done something amazing for me! You called me a couple days after I asked you about “Salt Therapy” & simply said, “Go to the beach!” I asked you when and you said, “Whenever you want, I got a hold of Cynthia and had it taken care of!” I almost lost my head! “I love you, I love you, I love you so much,” was my exact reaction! You already knew how much that meant to me! The last words I ever heard coming from you were, “I haven’t been any more proud than I am of you, you deserve it, my reward to you. So, go cleanse your soul and stay out of trouble.” Today, Oct. 22nd, you would have been proud once again. I graduated today, in your honor; you were with me in spirit. I will live and work in your Legacy, Donald Shepherd; as well as my grandparents. I hope you have met them up in Heaven, I told you – they would have admired you, too! I pray that I become at least half of what you were for other’s in the community. God Bless You and Hang Ten up in your Paradise in the Sky! The Best Mental Health Case Manager Ever is Who You Are. My last song dedication to you is “One Hell of an Amen” by Brantley Gilbert.”

Legends Never Die,
Heather D. Hindall, Florida Cares Charity Corp
Volunteer Advocate October 22nd, 2020

Don was one of the nicest guys I have ever known. He worked hard and helped so many people in his short time. He loved his dogs so much. My heart aches and prays for his family. He will be missed by many. Heaven gained a angel.

My heart has felt so sad since I heard of Don’s passing.  We worked together at Clay Behavioral for many years, and he had such a kind and gentle spirit as well as a great sense of humor.  Every time we saw each other we laughed as we shared an inside joke about a humorous incident from years prior and it always brightened my day!  He was an incredible person, case manager and advocate, and his laid back demeanor instantly put you at ease.  His absence from this part of the world is truly felt.  My thoughts and prayers are with his family, his dogs, and all who love him.  

My friend…you were a champion for the mental health population in your community. You lived to serve others just as Jesus did, you were His hands and His feet. I'm hurt that you're no longer here with me, however I find comfort knowing that to be a sent absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
Love eternally,
Stacey

Don I know you are an angel in heaven now.  I would never be where I am in life without having met you.  There are no words to express how much you will be missed.  You pushed all of us to strive for the best!  Helped each of your clients gain confidence in ourselves, that we didn’t even know we deserved.  You were one those “real” people who put effort into everything they touched.  My condolences to his family and his passing. 💖

Our condolences. I do not have a current phone number and need a correct email address. Blessings,
Alan & Barbara in 675 Center Crest Dr., Redlands, CA 92373

I just learned today on 2-1-21 that Don Passed away. I am so sad. I remember him from when he worked at Kmart alongside my mom. He worked electronics and me as a teenager i would always go in and hang out with him when he worked. Always such a nice guy. RIP Bud!

Well my old friend it seems you made it before me. High school and beyond you’ll always be my brother. I love you buddy.