Dr. Rex Gerald Sheppard

Decatur ~ Dr. Rex Gerald Sheppard, 74, went to be with our Lord Monday, April 22nd, 2024 in Ft. Worth, Texas.

Funeral is 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 27th, 2024 at First Baptist Church in Decatur with burial at Emerald Hills Memorial Park in Kennedale. Family will receive friends 6-8:00 p.m. Friday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur.

Phillip Askey and Rick Bramlett will officiate. Pallbearers will include Bruce Arrington, Wayne Fleitman, Brian Moore, Bart Mosley, Ronnie Ramsey, and Troy Scoggins.

Dr. Sheppard was born June 13th, 1949 to Rex Garvin and Mary Jo (Conatser) Sheppard in Ft. Worth, Texas. He graduated Kennedale High School in 1967 and went onto a lifetime of academic and experimental learning. While working decades in the research and development industry, Rex was a prolific inventor, leading to 82 world-wide patent applications.  Before starting his professional career he served as a missionary in Africa for two years. Rex had a BS Chemistry 1972 from Southwestern State University, Oklahoma; PhD Organic Chemistry 1980 from North Texas State University; and an MBA Management 1989 from University of North Texas.  Rex was a member of Alpha Chi Sigma Fraternity since 1975. Before beginning his career in 1972-74 he was a High School Teacher, Mombasa Kenya with Southern Baptist Convention and then 1981-82 Research Chemist, Celanese in Corpus Christi, Texas. He was an employee of Entegris Poco Materials in Decatur for 41 years where he was R&D Manager with a primary focus on carbon and graphite technologies and post-processes. Rex also volunteered for many organizations such as, Habitat for Humanity, Horse Rehab, and many many Science Days and Fairs around the area. Dr. Sheppard was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church of Decatur and a beloved friend to many who will miss him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rex and Mary Jo Sheppard.

He is survived by one aunt, Peggy Conatser of Jacksboro, Texas, and many cousins all of whom are better people for having known him.