Alan J. Shepherd

Alan J. Shepherd, 61, our beloved husband, dad, son, brother, coach, teacher, teammate, referee, mentor and friend, passed away August 21, 2015. Vigil Service is 7:00 pm Wednesday, August 26 and Funeral Mass is 10:00 Thursday, August 27 both at Church of the Magdalen. He was born in Lincoln, England, on June 17, 1954 and arrived in America at the age of 9, in 1964. Alan was the long time boys and girls soccer coach at Kapaun Mt. Carmel High School, as well as former coach of Heights, East, Friends University and Newman University. He was also a P.E. teacher for many years in the Wichita Public and Catholic Elementary Schools and taught P.E. at Kapaun for the past ten years. He will be remembered for his love of soccer, but more importantly for the love he had for his family, players, teammates, fellow coaches, students and friends. His ability to make everyone feel important by teaching us all to use the gifts God gave us to the best of our ability was his gift. He was a kind, caring teacher and coach, truly appreciating all of his students and players. His family and friends were his greatest enjoyment. His family was his love and joy. He is preceeded in death by his father, William “Bill” Shepherd. Survived by his wife, Beth; children, Ian (Sara) Shepherd of Portland, OR, Marissa (Nick) Cribbs of Olathe, KS, Hayley, Ashley and Emily Shepherd all of the home; mother, Joyce Reed; stepfather Ron Reed; sister, Sandra Mathews; brother, Corey Reed; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins here in the United States and England. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established with Kapaun Mt. Carmel High School, 8506 E Central Ave, Wichita, KS 67206. Downing and Lahey East Mortuary. Share online tributes at www.dlwichita.com