Other memories

December 27, 1997 - Larry Shepherd writes:

My name is Larry Shepherd, and I would like to tell you of a man dedicated to the Ford "T" model. His name is Hugh Harold Shepherd of Churchland community in Davidson County. Hugh passed on the 17th of August this year,but he left a lasting m emory on myself and many, many others. Married to his sweetheart during the Korean conflict years, he served his country,raised four grand children and maintained the legacy of the Ford "T".

Dedicated to his family and his country, Hugh served on in active reserve status, taught school as a living, raised four children with wife Annie Mae and built a car from the ground up. He chronicaled his every step of the construction in memoirs which he diligently kept of each and every transaction, be it cash or barter.

Starting in 1961, he began searching leads to out of the way resting places of cast off parts; fields, woods, sheds and barns. His friends to man policy got him a lot of information and help in finding just what he needed from time to time. His political standings as a stauch Democrat saw him through terms as Clerk of Court and later as a failed but not lost bid for Senator. By not lost I mean he did not let his defeat deter him from keeping his values. During these times, he taught school as an Agricultu re teacher and his students helped him many times to refurbish the treasures that would some day become his "Fun Car".

From it's beginning in '61 until his passing in '97, the car took on many forms and stages of completion and incompletion. My first ride came in '85 after I lost my father, Hugh's brother, and I was recuperating from my battle with Cancer. Hugh took me un der his wing and I considered him as my second father as well as best friend. He had brought the car to a point where it was used regurlarly on weekend jaunts for himself and Annie Mae around the lacal country, AND our drives from my home to memory lane i n my neck of Rowan County. Hugh came to my house one day with an offer of a ride. The car was complete and road worthy except for the addition of a wooden truck bed which he constructed for the car. After a brief ride, he pulled to the roadside and made m e get behind the wheel. From that point on......I was a "T" fan.

Hugh used the car as it was meant to be. He never prevented anyone from touching or sitting behind the wheel. He participated in many local functions with it and always refered to it as his "Fun Car". People from many walks of life were touched by him and his car. It is now complete with original parts from front to rear including an original truck bed found in the mountains and a "Turtle Deck" to convert it into a roadster. It is still, and if I can help it, will always remain in the Shepherd family. H ugh and the "T" will always be in my heart and memories. His motto in life was......"USE IT UP, WEAR IT OUT, MAKE IT DO OR DO WITHOUT". It was a phrase seen many times referring to the troubled, Depression times when he was born. Hugh's dedication to fami ly, country and life will always be an inspiration to me.