FIND AN OBITUARY
Service information is posted on our website only with approval from the family.
If you are seeking information not listed below, please contact us.
John ‘Rip’ Supplee Shepherd III
11/24/1949 — 03/11/2009
From Kennewick, WA, US | Born in Lewiston, Idaho
John ‘Rip’ Supplee Shepherd III
If you're reading this, you know I'm on the 19th hole and St. Peter's down 2 strokes. For those of you who want to know how I ended up playing with St. Peter, my golf game finally got to my heart.
I want you all to know that I had the best life I could have imagined. Great, but a bit complicated.
I see you all sitting there talking about me:
The love of my life and my soulmate, JoAnn Nai-che. My parents Jack & Naidean. My siblings Kris, Sox, Bala Shelly, and Randy. My children Tara & Jeremy; Chila & Ryan; Natalie & Scott; Claudette & Dave; and Richie. My grandchildren Ariel; Tiereny; Jered; Gabriel; Chandra; Kaitlin; Amber; Kamren; Madison; and Zachary. My great-grandchildren Trace; Dominik; Jadyn and another girl to arrive in July. My nieces and nephews Donelle, Courtney & Luke, and Robert & Sarah.
I was born in the small town of Lewiston, Idaho to Jack and Naidean on Thanksgiving Day 1949. Kris was there when I arrived. After me came in short order Sox, Bala, and Randy.
I graduated from Clarkston High School, where I was a star football player. After high school I was drafted and spent 3 years in the US Marines including a tour in Vietnam.
Upon returning from the military, I married Diane Johnson and had two wonderful children, Tara, a lawyer and Chila, a hairdresser.
Later in life I found JoAnn Nai-che, my sweetheart. We were married and I inherited 3 additional daughters, all of whom make me proud and I love them as if they were my own, and began the most wonderful 25 years of my life.
To all my golf brothers, I'd love to include your names, but they charge by the word and you know who you are. Our stories will live on forever. Don't worry about next year's AZ trip boys – I'll be telling you what to do.
To all of our long-time close friends who have shared so many memories with us: thank you all for keeping me out of trouble.
To all of the people who have supported Nai-che & Associates, Inc.: thank you for your support, loyalty and friendship. JoAnn will be carrying on our professional training and looks forward to your continued support.
My life was enriched by everyone who touched me and I hope I enriched theirs as well. Always live life with humor and understanding.
Don't shed a tear for me, instead hoist a "funny coke" and toast me. I'll be here where the sun always shines and everyone breaks par, looking down and protecting all of you and remaining a part of you forever.
A celebration of my life will be held at the Tri-City Country Club in Kennewick, WA, to which I was a loyal member for many years. Please join us on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, JoAnn and I ask that you make contributions to Hospice at the Chaplaincy, www.tcchaplains.org or 509-783-7416, which we have supported for many years.
TO THE SHEPHERD FAMILY: I WAS SO SORRY TO HERE ABOUT MY CLASSMATE RIP. MAY GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU AND YOUR FAMILY SAFE WITHIN HIS REACH DURING THIS TIME OF GREAT LOSS. OUR LOVE AND PRAYS ARE WITH YOU ALL. GOD BLESS
We would like to share with the family your sorrow of the loss of our great friend and mentor Rip. Rip was not only a friend and a great golfing buddy but he was like a brother. I will miss him dearly but his smile and spirit will never be forgotten. We will have a good golf game again,until then rest in peace my brother. Chuck
Joanne and all of Rip’s family..We are saddened by your loss.. Rip was a unique player in life and a character in his own time. We had many joyous and competitive times as youths growing up in Clarkston. He cared about people then and it is no surprise that he would be surrounded by so many who loved and cherished his involvement in their lives. It was wonderful to discover that you and, my niece, Chani have this connection.. Proving it is a small world and the whole 6 degrees thing!
Dennis and Cynthia Phillips
Rip, you will be greatly missed. What an upbeat, vivacious, positive person! We will truly miss your sense of humor, always smiling face, and friendship! You’ve never met a stranger and now that includes St. Peter.
Joanne, we are extremely sorry for your loss. We know you two were great for each other and best friends. We loved being around the two of you, because it was always so positive. We want you to feel that you can call us anytime for anything. We love you…
Carl and Karen
JoAnn, you are in our thoughts and prayers. I last saw “Rip” in 1979 or so. He drove your Dad to Oklahoma. I thought then he is a wonderful guy. I am so sorry to hear about John.
JoAnn and Family: I read Rip’s obituary with surprise and sadness. Please let me express my sincere love for you and your family! I will be praying for you that God will give you comfort at this time of loss. Rip was an amazing man, a friend, and a respected business person. We appreciated the work the two of you did for Lamb Weston and the regional Sanitation Workshops in Portland in the recent years.
Harlow Young
Even though I’d only just met Rip last year, I could tell what a great guy he was and how much he enjoyed his wife, kids and friends. And I also could tell how much he enjoyed golfing with his buddies. My blessings to all whose hearts he touched.
Rip, you will be missed more than anyone could ever imagine. Your caring and giving self has brought so much joy and happiness to everyone that has had the pleasure to have known you. I have truly charished the years of golfing with you and the friendship that you provided. No matter what the occasion, you were always there for everyone and anyone, a genuine friend. I love you as a brother and respect you as the dear friend that you are. You said to not shed a tear for you, insted hoist a “funny coke” and toast you, and a toast it shall be, but I can not keep the tears away because I find the void in life with out you too much. I know that I will see you again some day and I look forward to getting back on the golf course with you.
As a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, I want to say “Thank You” for being there to serve and protect our country. You are what our country stands for, a man of honor, pride and dignity, one that we all can look up to and respect.
JoAnn, our prayers and thoughts go out to you and your family during this difficult time, we are so very sorry. Dana and I love you so much and will always be there for you and with you.
Rip â I will miss your wit and sense of humor, the numerous and funny stories you told â especially those about your golf game but foremost I will miss your genuine and caring personality. You have touched and enriched not only my life but those of the people you have trained.
JoAnn – Please accept my deepest sympathy and love. You are in my thoughts and prayers. If there is any assistance I can render when you return to the training arena please let me know.
May the stars carry your sadness away,
May the flowers fill your heart with beauty,
May hope forever wipe away your tears,
And, above all, may silence make you strong.
– Chief Dan George
Joann, our hearts ach for you and your family at this time. We pray that God will wrap you in his arms and give you strength.
Chuck and I feel very blessed to have known Rip. I loved seeing his face light up when he was telling a story to his “golfing buds” in the lounge after golf, and the laughter that followed always made us smile. One of my favorite memories of Rip was when he was playing Santa. He had the biggest heart and such a love and repect for people, especially the kids!
We are going to miss him very much but what wonderful memories he has given us and all whos life he has touched.
I just wanted you to know that I’m thinking about you guys and I wish I could be there. I hope time and memories make all well. RC
Joann,
I just want you and the kids to know that I am thinking about you. I am so sorry that Ronnie and I are not able to be there. I would give anything if we were closer so that we could spend more time together. I love you. Suzanne
Dad~ I can’t seem to stop writing these letters to you. I miss getting my daily quote or joke in the morning on my email. We were always the morning people in our house and that will still always be our time together. I also can’t stopping thinking about this summer and all the work you were suppose to do in my yard I finally was going to get payback for all those free haircuts. I miss you I don’t know how T and I are going to do this with out you and your smile. Thank you for all the times you didn’t yell and thank you for all the mornings and thank you for all the hugs and for all the I love you’s! You were the best Daddy two little girls could have and I’m going to continue to fill up your e-mail w/ jokes in the morning just for a little while longer. I love you and wish you could of stayed with us just a little bit longer for the wedding and to spend that moment with me and Ry, but we will find someway to make a new moment just for you. Oh ya I did a little jig in the livingroom last night and we thought of you and laughted. Were still dancing thanks for the moves! Love Chi~
I will always remember the Shepard kids. We lived across the alley from you. I was your babysitter while you lived there. Bill and Rip were inseparable. My family will keep you in our hearts forever. Love, Kay
Rip was the founder and father of Budget Tapes and Records in the Tri Cities. He took several of us wide-eyed, wild, young adults under his wing and with his patient, level-headed, positive direction, turned us into productive people and life-long friends. He was the cool, hip guy as well as the voice of reason. Lord knows we needed that! Several of us were DJ’s Sound City converts who were also musicians full of jazz snobbery. Rip opened our ears to such greats as John Prine, Little Feat, Norton Buffalo and Larry Raspberry and the Highsteppers! Rip was as loyal as he was a rebel. He was intelligent, funny, dependable and good-hearted. He was one-of-a kind and he is missed greatly.
Ever since I was a young man, boy, OK child, you have been in my family or I have been in yours. Special thanks to Aunt Kris & Uncle Don as they and Jack and Naidean were always a part of my growing up at Priest Lake. The Shepherd family and the Howell family sure seemed to be pair or group to deal with at any entertaining event. God knows the life we live and loved, and always sees us at our best. Enjoy until we all meet again. Dan & Joi
Guestbook for
John ‘Rip’ Supplee Shepherd III