Ray Francis Shepherd was born in Eureka, California, to Ray and Helen Shepherd, the first of three children.  At a young age, he moved with his family to the family ranch on the Alliance Road in Arcata where he attended Janes Elementary School and Arcata High School.  Ray received the prestigious Bank of America Award for Math and Science when he graduated from Arcata High School class of 1958.  He attended Humboldt State College where he was an engineering student but left just before graduating to join the California National Guard.

After completing his National Guard service he decided to locate to the Los Angeles area to pursue a career in an engineering field in 1965.  He tested for a position at the Los Angeles Flood Control District and because of his photographic memory got the highest score they had ever received and landed a job and a promotion immediately.   He moved to the Los Angeles Public Works Department where he worked on GIS programs until he retired in 2005.

Ray’s favorite pastime was to hike and photograph in the mountains of Southern California.

Ray was preceded by both his parents, Ray and Helen Shepherd and is survived by his sister, Marilynn Beasley and her husband Fred Beasley of Weatherford, Texas and his Brother, Ben Shepherd and wife Wendy Wahlund of Loleta.

No services are planned and the family asks that you enjoy an opportunity in the outdoors as an honor to Ray.

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The obituary above was submitted by Ray’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.