NEWPORT-Jack Shepherd, former City Recorder of Newport and a long-time Cocke County educator, died Tuesday in Jefferson City following a long period of declining health.

Shepherd was elected to the office of City Recorder in 1983 and was re-elected to several terms, retiring only after a debilitating stroke nine years ago.

Prior to entering the political area, Shepherd had established himself as a well-known and successful educator, beginning at a history teacher at Parrottsville High School in the late 1960s and later was named principal at Northport Elementary School.

After that school was consolidated into present-day Northwest Elementary, Shepherd was named principal of Grassy Fork Elementary School, where he served until elected to public office.

For more details, please see the Thursday edition of the Newport Plain Talk.