John Ben Shepperd. (October 19, 1915 - March 8, 1990) Gladewater native John Ben Shepperd was appointed Texas Secretary of State in 1950. Elected attorney general in 1952 and 1954, he retired from public office in 1957 and moved to Odessa. He became a prominent insurance, banking, and petroleum executive. At the request of governors and presidents, he served on 7 state and national boards, including those concerned with the arts and historic preservation. He was Texas and U.S. Jaycees president. #9997