Ralph Gregory Shepard was born July 30, 1942, in St. Lewis, Washington, and was the son of Maurice Lloyd Shepard and Carolyn Minerva Blakely. He grew up in Salem, Oregon, and became a high school teacher and football coach in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and West Valley City, Utah. Another thing he enjoyed and mastered was powerlifting, which he competed in for many years. In high school, he played bassoon in the Orchestra and played saxophone in a Rock n’ Roll band. He majored in Music and received his bachelor’s degree in that and became a great bassoonist; but his love of sports won out, and his next two degrees were in sports, physiology, and education.
At the age of 23, he was a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was an active member for the rest of his life. Greg met his wife, Diana, at BYU and received his Ph.D. from there in 1973. In 1976 he created the business “Bigger Faster Stronger” with 2 business partners working with coaches and athletes all over the U.S. and a few foreign countries. He also authored 3 books and many sports articles.
Greg is survived by his wife, 3 children, 14 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his mother, father, brother, and daughter Andrea.
An evening viewing will be held for Greg on Thursday, September 7, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Memorial Redwood Mortuary on 6500 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, UT, 84123. Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 8, 2023, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 464 Germania Avenue, Murray, UT, 84123. There will be a viewing from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. with the chapel service beginning at 12:30 p.m. and interment to follow, at Memorial Redwood Mortuary on 6500 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, UT, 84123.
Greg will be missed by many, but especially by his family.Service Information
Viewing September 7, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Memorial Redwood Mortuary
Viewing September 8, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Funeral Service
September 8, 2023 at 12:30 p.m.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints