The family of Shawn Ralph Sheppard is very saddened to advise of his sudden passing on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, in Grande Prairie, Alberta, at the age of 67.

Shawn was born in Senneterre, Quebec, on February 18, 1958, to Ron and Barb Sheppard. Shawn was an Air Force brat and lived in many provinces, including Quebec, Ontario, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia. In 1976, at 18 years old, he ventured west to Edmonton, Alberta, to work and begin his adult life. Shawn married young and had three wonderful daughters he adored: Adrienne, Candace, and Tabitha. The family moved from Edmonton to Millet, Alberta, where they spent many years until relocating north to Sexsmith, Alberta, in 1996 to work in Grande Prairie. He eventually settled in Clairmont, Alberta.

Shawn worked in the oilfield safety industry, working for Levitt Safety, Standard Safety, and HSE Safety. In 2010, he opened his own safety business (S.A.M. Safety Rentals) with his partner, Mary, and daughter, Adrienne.

Shawn had a passion for music and learned to play drums as a teen. He played in bands with his friends and his brother, Nat, from an early age right up until the last few years. The band played at all three daughters’ weddings. In addition to music, Shawn loved being outdoors: camping, sitting around a fire, and kayaking. He also enjoyed many sports, including playing golf, racquetball, and hockey. He was an avid Oilers fan. He loved spending time with family, getting together to play music, board games, and cards, and have some laughs. Shawn will be remembered for his quick wit and sense of humour; he was always joking around. As well, he was known to be up for a good debate at any time regarding any topic, relentlessly making his points.

In 2023, Shawn was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor, oligodendroglioma, and had to have surgery and treatment for it, leaving him with a form of short-term memory loss/dementia. In recent days, Shawn had been ill and succumbed to a heart attack while in the hospital.

Shawn was always very close to family, lovingly known as “Daddio” to his girls and “PaPa” to his grandkids. He will always be fondly remembered in the heart of his daughter, Adrienne Flamont (Cory), and their children Rylee and Braydon; daughter Candace Verge (Corey) and their children Camryn and Carson; daughter Tabitha Marthinsen (Svend) and their children Tristan, Jayda, and Brinley; as well as siblings Nathan (Louise), Dean, and Dawn (Ray); and niece and nephews, Darrigan, Shayla, and Christopher.

He was predeceased by his partner, Mary Cormier, and parents, Ron and Barb.

The family would like to invite friends to join them for a luncheon and celebration of Shawn’s life on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Oliver’s Funeral Home (10005 107 Ave, Grande Prairie).

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Shawn’s memory to Alzheimer Society Canada (https://alzheimer.ca/en) or the Canadian Cancer Society (https://cancer.ca/en/).