[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 34 (Tuesday, February 23, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E153-E154]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IN RECOGNITION OF MR. RICHARD FRANKLIN SHEPPARD

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. VALADAO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 23, 2021

  Mr. VALADAO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mr. 
Richard Franklin Sheppard, affectionately known as ``Dick,'' who passed 
away on February 12, 2021.
  Mr. Richard ``Dick'' Franklin Sheppard, born June 24, 1936, moved 
with his family from Oklahoma to California's Central Valley in the 
early 1930s. Living near Farmersville, Dick began working in the fields 
around the age of seven. He later began a career in broadcasting at 
KRDU Radio Station while attending high school in Dinuba.
  Dick managed several radio stations throughout California during his 
career, returning to the Central Valley as the general sales manager of 
KJOY FM/KRDU AM in the 1990s

[[Page E154]]

before joining the local Sanger newspaper as editor. He remained as 
editor for the Sanger Herald until his retirement in 2019. Dick also 
served his country in the U.S. Army Security Agency and the U.S. Navy 
Reserve in Dinuba. He enjoyed spending time with fellow veterans at the 
Sanger Post 7168 Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Sanger Post 98 
AMVETS.
  Renowned for his volunteer work and community involvement, Dick's 
legacy will not soon be forgotten. He organized an annual golf 
tournament fundraiser as a Golden Valley Girl Scout Council Board 
Member, conducted career preparation seminars for Workforce Connection, 
and served as a Family Self Sufficiency Board Member to help struggling 
families achieve economic independence. Dick was involved in several 
other organizations serving the Sanger and Fresno area communities: the 
Kiwanis Club of Dinuba, the Downtown Kiwanis Club of Fresno, the Rotary 
Club of the Fresno Airport, the Rotary Club in Sanger, the Sanger 
Unified School District Classified Employees Personnel Commission, the 
Sanger High School Athletic Hall of Fame Committee, the Sanger Veterans 
Parade Committee, and the Fresno Radio Advisory Committee.
  Dick was awarded several recognitions during his lifetime including 
the American Legion Medal for Character, the Sanger Chamber of Commerce 
Hall of Fame, the Gold Seal award for community service presented by 
the Sanger Chamber of Commerce, and several journalism awards. Beloved 
by the Sanger community, Dick was also honored as the Grand Marshal for 
both the Sanger Veterans Parade and Sanger Christmas Parade in 2019.
  Dick is survived by his wife Nadine; their children Mark, Cassandra 
and her husband Jack, and Christopher and his wife Petra; and stepson 
Michael and his wife Jessica. Dick is also survived by nine 
grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the United States House of 
Representatives to join me in honoring the life of Mr. Richard ``Dick'' 
Franklin Sheppard. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and 
friends during this difficult time.

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