USMC Purple Heart veteran Thomas Joseph Shepeck was born in 1945 to the late Gordon E. and late Marie T. (DeGreef) Shepeck of Green Bay, WI on February 14 -- a day associated with loving hearts. His heart was generous and kind. He had a special love for youngsters and youths many whom he volunteered to help in numerous avenues during his lifetime. Yet Tom's own heart was severely damaged by Agent Orange exposure which created life-long coronary debilitation culminating in his final four months' courageous fight to recover from L-Vad surgery while hoping for a heart transplant. Appreciative of the quality of compassionate care by the staff of UW and VA medical centers even as complications escalated, Tom passed with dignity surrounded by loved ones on July 14, 2013.
Tom graduated from St.Philips grade school and Premontre (class of 1963). He was wounded in Vietnam (May 13, 1967) and spent a year (Great Lakes Naval Hospital) in rehabilitation during which time he was told he would never walk again; his tenacity proved the doctors wrong and set the tone for his life during many challenges because he never accepted the word "no" especially in his eternal optimism during many medical setbacks that he would receive a new heart so he could continue his volunteer service. He now will accomplish these tasks from the other side.
While earning a degree in business (UW-Oshkosh), Tom was the college's vets' club social director. Following graduation he started his career in real estate sales (residential and commercial) and formed Centrum Development and Carousel Investments.
Tom's love of aviation drew him to be active in EAA; this would have been his 30th year as a volunteer. In November 2012, Tom was chosen for EAA's prestigious Henry Kimberly Spirit of Leadership Award receiving an engraved eagle sculpture during the EAA Hall of Fame dinner.
A Fletcher Award recipient, Tom embraced the goals of Rotary International serving as the chair for the international committee (working with exchange youth and helping on improvement projects for third world countries) and earning the Fletcher Award. Active in politics, he also worked with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Jaycees, the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce (serving many years as the chair of the aviation committee).
Beyond his visits to nearly every state (including Hawaii) and military service in southeast Asia, Tom traveled to Europe, South America, Central America, Africa, and numerous island countries where he delighted in his experiences especially when meeting new people. The love of travel lasted all his life.
Having met at UW-Oshkosh's Newman Center, Tom is survived by Patricia Repp, Omro,WI. His surviving family members are brother James Shepeck, Schaumburg,IL; sisters and brothers-in-law, Ann (Edward "Skip") Brooks, DePere, WI: Patricia (Michael) Colburn, Green Bay, WI; ten nieces and nephews whom he dearly loved (Kristin Quinn, Tricia Hanson, Paul Brooks, Ellen Brooks-Diny, David Brooks, Jane Everett, Sarah Lawler, Adam Brooks, Jeffrey Colburn, and Jennifer Colburn) as well as many great nieces and great nephews; very special friend (Shirley Dalebroux and family) and many cousins and countless friends. Other survivors are Kraig (Jennifer) Repp [sons Karver and Konner]; Katie (Jerry)
Markert [son Jake]; Ginny (Brian) Palmer [children Ethan, Madison,and Sophia]; Mai See Lor [daughter Alexa]. Additionally, Tom will be remembered by valued neighbors, past/present exchange youth, and members of numerous organizations to which he belonged.
Preceded in death by his parents, sister-in-law (Bonnie Shepeck), and special cousin (Mary Agnes Prosser), Tom's heart's delight was Schatze whom he missed greatly.
Tom's giving heart and life will be celebrated Saturday July 20 at a 12 o'clock noon mass at St. Raphael the Archangel Church (830 S. Westhaven Drive, Oshkosh) with a visitation preceding the service from 10am to 11:45am at the church. Friday's July 19 visitation will be held at the Seefeld
Memorial Chapel (1025 Oregon Street, Oshkosh) from 4pm to 7pm.
Memorials in Tom's name may be made to the "Tom Shepeck Memorial Fund" for needy youth, a cause Tom championed in life. These Memorials may be mailed to the Oshkosh Community Foundation, 230 Ohio St., Suite 100, Oshkosh, WI 54902-5894.