John Whitney Shepardson

John Whitney Shepardson, Denver, Colorado, died at Porter Hospital on February 18, 2009. He was 83. He died of natural causes. John W. Shepardson, the son of Whitney H. and Eleanor C. Shepardson, was born in New York City on March 25, 1925. He was graduated from independent schools in New York City and in New England and entered Harvard College in September 1942. Four months later, he left Harvard to enlist in the U.S. Navy. At the end of World War II, Shepardson was honorably discharged as Quartermaster First Class. He had served in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters aboard LSTs and had participated in the liberation of the Philippines. He returned to Harvard College and took an A.B. cum laude degree in June 1949. Some years later he earned an M.A. Degree from University of Colorado, Boulder. Shepardson began his business career in June 1949, in New York City. By September 1952, he had re-directed his efforts into oil and gas exploration work and was employed successively by Gulf Oil Corporation, American Metal Climax, Inc., Jenney Oil Company, Kelly and Morey, Inc., Northwest Exploration Company; in 1986, he concluded his career as President, Corrida Oils Inc. From time to time, he was self-employed in various aspects of operations and finance of energy companies. Other business activities also included being a director of the Janus family of mutual funds for over twenty-five years. From 1964 to 1968, the entire Shepardson family began the Wellesley Junior Soccer program, and so, brought soccer to the Boston Suburbs around Rte. 128. He devoted his later years to research in American History, concentrating on the years 1890-1966, and to ranching on a property he owned jointly with his wife at Three Forks, Montana. He was a member of the Cactus Club of Denver. He is survived by his wife of over fifty years, Joan B. Shepardson, his daughter, Elizabeth P. (Betsy) Shepardson, of New York City, his son, Daniel C. (Dan) Shepardson, and two grandchildren. Private funeral services will be held following cremation. Contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.