Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, November 17, 1995                   TAG: 9511170050
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

KAYAK ACCIDENT KILLS EX-RADFORD RESIDENT

James Arlo Sheppard, who grew up in Radford and then moved to Hendersonville, died when his kayak was caught in a "hydraulic hole," or heavy undertow.

Sheppard was kayaking with a friend a mile up the river when the accident occurred.

"He used to kayak here all the time," often on the New River, said his sister, Bonnie Gillespie of Radford. "Most people who kayak will tell you it's an adventure, it gets in your blood."

Sheppard, 53, started kayaking with his sons when they were in Boy Scouts. Over the years, he kept it up, Gillespie said.

Sheppard received his degree in mechanical engineering from Virginia Tech.

He worked as a senior research engineer in the technical group at Dupont.

His brother, Joel Sheppard, also lives in Radford.

Keywords:
FATALITY