Obituary

Charlene Walker Shepard

Charlene Walker Shepard, 92, died on March 30, 2021, at her home in Capistrano Beach, California. Born in El Paso, Texas, she was the youngest daughter of James Ross Walker and Claudia Jones. Her family moved to Anaheim, California, about 1940.

Charlene had the enviable ability to learn any sport and practice it well. A natural athlete, she loved to perform and compete. At age five, she liked to cart-wheel through rooms full of guests at her parents’ home in Texas.

Charlene graduated from Anaheim High School, then enrolled at Fullerton Junior College where she won the campus award for best female athlete. She transferred to Santa Barbara College (now UCSB) where she became a member of the Alpha Phi sorority, and, again, was named best female athlete. She supported herself working as a waitress at Knott’s Berry Farm chicken dinner restaurant during the summers.

At a fraternity party, she met World War II veteran Clair Shepard. They married at the historic Santa Barbara Mission in 1951 then moved to the Bay Area where Clair finished his college degree at the University of San Francisco. Both became teachers.

Their first child, Catherine, was born in San Francisco. Clair and Charlene took her from the hospital to their Quonset hut home in Veterans housing. Two more children, Mary and Robert, were born after the family relocated to Healdsburg, CA, for Clair’s first permanent teaching job. Son Paul was born in Orange after they moved back to southern California to be closer to their families.

When Paul started school, Charlene renewed her State teaching credential and taught physical education as a substitute. She also taught adult fitness classes at San Clemente and Dana Point High Schools.

The family were parishioners of St. Edward Catholic Church. She was a member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and the Daughters of the American Revolution.

After Clair died in 2016, daughter Catherine moved temporarily to Charlene’s home for a few months which turned into four and a half years.

Her survivors are children Catherine Shepard-Haier (Richard), Mary Sandoval (David), Robert Shepard, and Paul Shepard. She leaves two grandchildren, Christine (James) and Alicia, and two great-granddaughters, Elena and Ava. Her brother James Ross Walker, Jr., and sister, Jeanette Gibson, pre-deceased her.

The funeral service begins at 9:30 a. m. at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in San Clemente on Saturday, April 17. Masks are required. The 6-feet distance between persons will be enforced as well. You are invited to the Shepard home for light refreshments following the Mass. Maps and directions will be available at the church.