Brian Keith Shepherd
Brian Keith Shepherd, 57, passed away on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at the Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri.
Brian Keith Shepherd was born at Wetzel Hospital in Clinton, Missouri, on June 10, 1968, the son of Jackie L. Shepherd and Nadine Pennock.
Brian graduated from Shawnee Grade School then attended and graduated from Calhoun High School in 1986.
Brian enjoyed sports of all kinds, especially riding motorcycles and other ATVs. A motorcycle trip to Colorado in his early 20s was a highlight of his memories. He enjoyed and excelled at playing basketball, both in high school and as an adult.
Brian began operating heavy equipment at a very young age and became masterful in his ability to control whatever machine he was using: skid steer, backhoe, loader, excavator, and many others, he loved it. He often challenged himself attempting to cut grade using his naked eye and could come within centimeters. He also was able to repair and maintain the various machines, saving both himself, and when he worked for others, his employers, a great deal of money over the last 30 years.
Brian had a very good mind for design and architecture; he was skilled at doing the calculations. He was able to do any construction project he desired, by himself, start to finish.
In 1992 he met his wife, Lydia (Byars) Shepherd, in Tightwad, Missouri, many know the bar, and that, as they say, was history. They were married on August 27, 1994, and have lived a beautiful life of family, animals, fishing, outdoor projects, travel, ups, downs, probably a couple of sideways, but most of all with enduring love for each other that withstood storms. They enjoyed life together for the last 32 years.
In January 2006, Brian began two companies along with a partner with offices in Lone Jack, Missouri. Precision Construction & Contracting and Precision Development Company. His business thrived for many years, and he had many amazing experiences during that time including consistent travel in and outside of the United States. He split that partnership in 2014 and in 2015 went to work in Warrensburg, MO, for Richter Excavating & Plumbing.
He enjoyed working with and loved his work family.
Brian’s biggest love and passion second only to his love for his parents and family was for the outdoors, deer and turkey hunting both gun and bow. He was an exceptionally good shot with both gun and bow and was compassionate in his desire to make a clean, quick kill of the animal in his sights. He fed his family. He also enjoyed fishing on his property, or anywhere, mushroom hunting, taking care of his cows, and being outside in nature.
Brian was an avid arrowhead, rock and Indian artifact/marble hunter and had found hundreds. He cherished these things and the experiences he had searching for and collecting them.
Brian loved his animals with all his heart; his dogs have always been a great source of joy and comfort to him. Remi, Daisy and Scooter will miss their Dad every day until they see him again. He was surely met at the gates of heaven by so many good dogs he loves, Coco and Booger leading the way, hoping they didn’t trip him up on the way in.
Brian loved to have fun, tease and joke. He was a character and could make anyone laugh. He left this earth having lived every minute of every hour of every day pursuing the things that interested and excited him and being there for others, that’s a life well-lived.
Brian is preceded in death by his stepfather, Danny Pennock, his grandparents and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Brian is survived by his wife, Lydia Shepherd, his mother, Nadine Pennock, his father, Jackie L. Shepherd, his brothers, Mike Pennock, David Pennock (Teresa) and a sister, Misty Houk, brother-in-law Carl Byars, sister-in-law, Pam Byars, nieces and nephews, namely, Jake Pennock (Ciara), Katie Houk, Cody Carney, Justin Byars (Dawn), Landon Huffmann, Owen Pennock, Harper Pennock, Maxx Pennock, Rileyana Paul and Haisley Houk, along with many Aunts, Uncles and cousins he loves dearly.
Funeral services were held May 11, 2026 at the Vansant-Mills Chapel in Clinton, Missouri with Rev. David Mills officiating. The casket bearers were Mike Pennock, Jake Pennock, Owen Pennock, Carl Byars, Justin Byars and Jeff Burford. Harold Ensor, Kevin Redding, Dwane Mantle and Steven Jackson were honorary bearers. Interment followed in Calhoun Cemetery, Calhoun, Missouri.
Services were under the direction of Vansant-Mills Funeral Home of Clinton, MO.
