James Joseph Isaac Shepherd

Hon. James Joseph Isaac "Jimmy" Shepherd Age 84 Years of Fox Hill Road South, 
completed his Service to Country at his residence on Fox Hill Road South on Monday, January 05, 2004.

Born on Monday, July 07, 1919 to the late (William and Ella nee Dame- Shepherd). 
He grew up in the Hawkins Hill area and attended Sacred Heart School. At an early age, 
he ventured into the work place. Eager to be independent and self-sufficient, a spirit and 
mindset which he would cultivate for the rest of his life.

As a Taxi Driver in the 1950's, he became an activist for the rights of all and 
became General Secretary and Vic-President of the Bahamas Taxi Cab Union, 
serving in that capacity from 1956 to 1956 again from 1969 to 1970.

In November 1958 he was in the forefront, of the Union's struggle against 
Bay Street tour operators, for equal opportunity to transport tourist from 
the Nassau International Airport, to the city.

When those negotiations failed, "Jimmy Shepherd" was one of the first drivers 
to park his taxi, across the entrance of the airport, touching off the Taxi Cab Union 
strike which led to the historic 16-day general strike in New Providence.

By that time "Jimmy Shepherd" was already an active supporter of 
the Progressive Liberal Party and operated the famous Taxico Restaurant 
on Wulff Road. He often contributed generously of his time and resources 
to keep the party's machinery well-oiled and battle-ready.

When the PLP eventually became the government in 1967, ushering in majority rule, 
"Jimmy Shepherd" was elected the member of the House of Assembly for 
the St. Michael's Constituency in the heart of over-the-hill, New Providence.

He was made Majority Party Whip in the House of Assembly and became a 
close assistant and a traveling aide, to Premier Lynden Pindling and his wife, 
Marguerite. In the April, 1968 elections, he was re-elected to the House of Assembly 
and in 1969 was appointed Chairman of the Bahamas Electricity Corporation.

Also in 1969, he became chairman of Diversified Services of the Bahama Islands, 
a total marketing communications affiliate of the giant Interpublic Group of Companies. 
Additionally, he was chairman and publisher of the "Bahamian Times", 
the newspaper of the PLP which was produced in a building he owned on Bahama Avenue.

In 1970 "Jimmy Shepherd", along with others became disillusion with the leadership style 
of the Prime Minister and participated in a vote of no-confidence in the House of Assembly. 
That led to his expulsion, from the PLP and he and seven others formed the Free-PLP, which 
later became the Free National Movement.

In the 1972 general elections, as an FNM candidate, he lost his St. Michael's seat, 
but continued being a driving force in the party for the next two decades, 
until 1992 when the FNM finally triumphed at the polls, bringing to fruition 
of (Jimmy Shepherd's) dream and long fight for open, accountable government 
and a new political culture in The Bahamas.

Throughout the ten-year tenure of the FNM Government, "Jimmy Shepherd" 
remained a faithful supporter, advocate and a wise and valued counsel to 
party and Government leadership.

In December 1984 "Jimmy Shepherd" suffered a severe stroke which left him in a coma 
for an extended period. In January he suffered another stroke from which this strong and 
determined soldier bravely recovered.

In May 2003 a third stroke befell him and once again he attempted to survive against impossible odds. 
At age 84 having fought a good fight and having kept the faith, Jimmy Shepherd's course was finished.

The Radiance of this "Ruby of A Gem" will always glow in the hearts of his:
Seven Sons: Charles, Bernard, John, Robin, Theodore, Dudley Sr. and Leslie Shepherd;
Seven Daughters: Caron and Catherine Shepherd, Valerie Culmer (Andrew), 
Dr. Sonia Simmonds (Dr. Alric Jr.), Jennifer Shepherd-Grant, Sylvia Perry (David) and Daisy Bowley;
Twenty-Nine Grandchildren: Aubury, Anwar, Candia, Ishmael, Leah, Andrew, Nathalie, Nathaniel, 
Nicole, Joel, Shammah, Samantha, Johnathan, Jopol, Jade, Jamal, Lesnique, Dudley Jr., Simone, Bernard, 
Sigma, Sean, Kevin, Michelle, Theodore, Bryant, Monishka, Emmanuel and Talia;
Numerous Great Grandchildren Including: Allan Antonio Knowles;
Numerous: Great, Great Grandchildren;
Nephews and Nieces Including: K. Neville and Armintha Adderley, Richard, Donald, 
Elwood, David, Kevin, Lindsey, Shurleene, Carol, Irene, Janet, Roseman, Jermaine, Barbara and Delores;
Three Daughters-in-law: Polly, Ansinette and Janet Shepherd;
Other Loving Family and Friends Including: Mr. Kenny Cartwright, Sir Clifford and Lady Darling, 
Sir Arthur and Lady Foulkes, Sir Orville and Lady Turnquest, Mr. Irwin "I. G." and Mrs. Grace Stubbs, 
Senator and Mrs. Tommy Turnquest, Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Moore, Mr. and Mrs. Warren Levarity, 
Dr. and Mrs. Elwood Donaldson, Dr. and Mrs. Curtis McMillan, Codfrey "Goofy" Brown, Mrs. Sylvia Scriven, 
Mr. and Mrs. Carl Bethel, Mr. Edwin "Vikie" Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth "Chess" Wood, Mr. Oscar Johnson, 
Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Sawyer, Mr. and Mrs. Dion Foulkes, Mr. and Mrs. Mr. and Mrs. P. Anthony White, 
Mr. and Mrs, Durke Errol Strachan, Hon. George Smith, Officers and Member of the Free National Movement;
The Families of: Mr. Perry Claridge, Mr. George Capron, Dr. Leslie Culmer, Alric V. Sr. and Beatrice  Simmonds, 
Joyce and Monique Bonaby, Vidian Pyfrom, Anishka Knowles, Clyde and Lorna Bethel, Almartha Murphy, 
Daisy Cooper, Elaine Sands, Monsignor Preston A. Moss and St. Anselm's Roman Catholic Church, 
Pastor Paul and First Lady Butler and Bahamas Christian Fellowship, 
Pastor Kirkwood and First Lady Murphy and Temple Fellowship, Knights of Columbus, 
Elder Reginald and Pat Saunders, Pastor Fred and Mrs. Omoruyi, Staff of Graycliff and Majestic Tours, 
Mrs. Diane Rolle, Ms. Vashti Adderley, the Clarkes of Jamaica, Dr. Christine Chin, 
Maxine Murphy and Tommie Thompson.