In Loving Memory
Professor John Samuel Shepherd, born to Sam and Vi in North London on 5th May 1942. He was the eldest of five children.
He passed away in his sleep on 20th November 2024.
A student at Borough Road College and Birkbeck College he went on to become a secondary school teacher and lecturer in history at Sidney Webb College of Education and Anglia Ruskin University (ARU). He was later a visiting Professor at ARU and then Huddersfield University.
Alongside his varied academic career John published many books, specialising in Labour History. His definitive text on the Labour leader George Lansbury and on the ‘Winter of Discontent’ were widely acclaimed as ‘first class’. He was highly respected in academic and political circles. John’s academic interest was matched by his personal commitment to the Labour party and its values.
Arsenal football club was his other passion from a very young age. He loved sharing this with his two daughters, Louise and Emma, taking them to watch Arsenal at home and away from the early 1980s.
John was a devoted husband to Dr Janet Shepherd. They also spent many years going to the Arsenal matches together. From the mid-1990s they lived in Dry Drayton and enjoyed village life while working together on five history books about daily life in the 20th Century and many history articles.
More recently he enjoyed sharing his love of Arsenal, Labour and biscuits with his grandchildren.
John is survived by Janet, Louise and Emma and his grandchildren, Cato, Sophia and Clara, as well as Misty the cat.
The family have asked not to send flowers but if you wish to a make a donation in his memory please click on the donation button, on this page.
Please wear some red in honour of Johns passion for:
In memory of John - a good and kind Labour man, esteemed historian and great friend to Dad.
With much love,
Katherine xx
Mrs Katherine Morgan
A lovely man in all aspects and a Great Friend. He will be missed but we have many good memories.
Mr MALCOLM DAGGETT
So sorry we weren’t able to come to the funeral and to know that time has run out for us to hear just one more of John’s stories. To a great teacher and a very dear friend to us both.
Mr & Mrs Ray & Lesley Collier
just so much love for you mum and how much we will all miss him - we are here xxxx
Ms Jessica Livingstone
Dad, we love you very much and miss you everyday. Rest in peace knowing you were loved by so many and leave an amazing legacy behind. Emma, Francis, Sophia and Clara xxx
Mrs Emma Shepherd-Mallinson
Thank you so much everyone for your generous and much appreciated donations, in John’s name, to Alzheimer’s Research. John would have been iverwhelmed by all your care and support.
Love to you all,
Janet
Dr Janet Shepherd
John was a thoroughly good man, and a kind and generous friend to me. He was also a great and caring family man, and a brilliant historian.
Mr Mark Dunton
In memory of a dear brother, Love from Bob, Sandra, Alan & Sarah xxx
Mr Robert Shepherd
In memory, with love, of a dear friend John Shepherd.
Mr & Mrs Graham Carter
John was a caring, kind friend for many decades. Always ready with a joke to keep us smiling and comforting words in difficult times. John, Jan and I spent some foreign holidays together. John, as everybody probably knows, had a passion for Arsenal and would engage with anyone who was interested in football. I remember in Tuscany he had a spirited conversation with a waiter, who was a Manchester United fan, and in spite of some language difficulties, I believe they agreed to disagree.
John was a truly lovely man and he will be greatly missed.
Mrs Pat PERRY
Another bough has fallen off the Shepherd family tree. John you were an inspiration to us all, achieving recognition and respect in your chosen field. My mum and dad adored you and spent many happy hours in the company of you and Janet. Rest peacefully, dear John. Love from Ann & Colin.
Mrs Ann Stephens
We will remember John fondly, sorry we will not make his funeral but will be thinking of you all.
Love John & Sue Woodhouse xxx
Mr & Mrs John Woodhouse