About

How it all started:

John Shepherd, a mischievous teenager with a newfound ambition, embarked on his life's adventure in 1963, shortly after marrying his beloved Gloria. Driven by a desire to succeed and provide for his young family, John embarked on a whirlwind journey through various careers, striving to be the ideal solution to every challenge. He began with a brief stint in construction, only to be laid off and face the uphill battle of finding new employment. Undeterred, he tackled a diverse array of roles, from Hertz and Ford to Gerhardt F Meyne and truck driving. Finally, while working for the phone company in the field, John encountered a group of ironworkers. Their camaraderie and strength sparked his interest, and he promptly applied to join Local 63. Initially, the union official wasn't optimistic, given John's lack of family ties or connections. However, a month later, John received a surprise call – they were inviting him to take an aptitude test. His prior job hopping had honed his test-taking skills, and on the following Tuesday, he received the life-changing news: he was accepted into the ironworker apprenticeship program. John's journey, with its twists and turns, had finally led him to his true calling, a testament to his resilience and unwavering determination.