Gary C. Shepherd died at his home in Oak Harbor on Sept. 9, 2009, at the age of 71, following a lengthy battle with cancer. He was born in Prosser, Wash., to Virge and Adeline Shepherd. Gary was raised in Sunnyside, Wash., graduating from Sunnyside High School with the Class of 1957.

Following high school, Gary worked for Boeing in Seattle and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving 20 years and retiring as an AMC. He married Janet Kammenga in Coupeville on Aug. 29, 1968. Gary worked for several years for Mike’s Sport Shop in Oak Harbor and then began a second career as an engineer at Island Hospital, Anacortes. Twenty years later, Gary retired again.

Gary was an avid trap shooter. Since he was a young boy Gary was a shooter and hunter. He started shooting trap, skeet, pistol and rifle in the Navy. On active duty he competed with the 13th Naval District winning both trap and skeet. He then went on to win at the All Navy Shoot Off in Virginia. In 1976, he took 6th place in skeet and Rookie of the Year. In 2006, he won the PITA Singles Champion of Champions. Gary completed his 100,000 targets at Old Skagit Club in 2007. He was an excellent teacher, when asked for advice about shooting.

Gary belonged to Pacific International Trapshooting Association, Amateur Trapshooting Association, Old Skagit Gun Club, Oak Harbor Sportsmen Club and Moose Club.

Gary is survived by his wife Janet of Oak Harbor; son William (Bill) Shepherd and wife Julia of Bow; daughter Karline Campbell and husband Brian of Oak Harbor; and three grandchildren, Chris Shepherd of Sedro-Woolley and Amanda and Dustin Campbell of Oak Harbor.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Old Skagit Gun Club on Josh Wilson Road, Burlington, on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 2 p.m. Cremation was held with private family inurnment. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.