Charles Martin Shepard, III

Commander Charles Martin Shepard, III, 90 of Gulfport, Mississippi died peacefully on Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011 from natural causes. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on September 9, 1920. He was married to Shirley Delmas on August 7, 2004. He was a graduate of the Coast Guard Academy at New London, CT. He was a veteran of World War II where he served as Boat Group Commander in the Battle of Tarwa. Charlie completed a distinguished twenty year career in the Coast Guard and was a retiree of Ingalls Shipbuilding. He was a life time member of MOAA, Retired Officers Association and a life member of the American Legion. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Delmas of Gulfport, his two sons, Charles Martin Shepard IV (Kathy) of Lucedale and Dean Avery Shepard (Marsha) of Gautier, two daughters, Susan Shepard Salinas (Joe) of Gulf Shores, and Mary Kate Shepard Dumont (Arthur III) of Orange Beach, Alabama, eleven grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren, one great great grandchild, a brother, Louis V. Shepard (Irene) of Gautier, a sister, Mary Kate Shepard Cook of Mobile, Alabama, many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends. He is predeceased by Jane Avery Shepard and grandson, Alvon H. Doty, III. We will always remember his love of music, his character and fairness. The funeral service will be held Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church where friends may visit beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery with military honors. The family prefers memorials to Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Pass Road, Biloxi, the American Heart Association, or to Alzheimer's Association Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is in charge of arrangements. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com