Odessa in Ector County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

John Ben Shepperd

(1915 – 1990)

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 12, 2017

1. John Ben Shepperd Marker

Inscription. Odessa and Texas civic legend, consummate volunteer leader. Chaired hundreds of committees; appointed by 7 governors and 4 presidents to state and national boards. Named Texas secretary of state (1950-52) at age 34. Elected twice as attorney general (1953-57). Joined Noel-Rodman Corporation interests in 1957 to launch a 33-year career as Odessa's premier mover and shaker. President of Odessa, West Texas Chambers and Texas, U.S. Jaycees. Organizer of Texas' official historical marking program, Texas Arts Commission. Champion of U.T.P.B; instrumental in its creation, development. Named Texan of the Year, 1984. Attorney; prominent petroleum, banking, insurance executive.

Erected 1991 by Heritage of Odessa Foundation. (Marker Number 19.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1957.

Location. 31° 53.447′ N, 102° 19.972′ W. Marker is in Odessa, Texas, in Ector County. It is at the intersection of John Ben Shepperd Parkway and Big Sky Way, on the right when traveling north on

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John Ben Shepperd Parkway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Odessa TX 79762, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Texas.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Old Buffalo Wallow (approx. 0.2 miles away); History of Stonehenge (approx. 0.4 miles away); Construction and Engineering of Stonehenge (approx. 0.4 miles away); "At Odessa We Became Texans and Proud of It" (approx. one mile away); First Texas Hometown (approx. one mile away); Emmet V. Headlee, M.D (approx. one mile away); Temple Beth El (approx. 1.8 miles away); Sewell Ford (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Odessa.

Also see . . . Handbook of Texas Online. As chair of the Texas State

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 12, 2017

2. John Ben Shepperd Marker

Historical Survey Committee (now the Texas Historical Commission) from 1963 to 1967, John Ben Shepperd was the driving force in the development of the official highway historical markers program. (Submitted on July 22, 2018, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 21, 2019. It was originally submitted on July 22, 2018, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 515 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 22, 2018, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.