Randy Sheperd with his son on the day he received the call
Everything changed with one phone call in 2014 for Randy Shepherd when the mother of his child called and said four words: “Come for your son.” From that moment, Randy picked up his son and began living the life of a single parent.
Over the years, Shepherd has raised his son in a respectful and well-rounded manner—earning admiration from many.
Wanting to find out more about this single-parent journey of fatherhood that was undertaken, this paper caught up with the son, Randy Junior Shepherd, to learn how good of a father Randy has been throughout the years towards his son.
“I love my dad because he’s a hard-working man. He keeps me in check. He helps me with things I don’t know. He’s a good dad. Everyone would want a dad like mine. My dad is one of a kind,” Junior shared.
He added, “The thing I love most is that he always pushes me to do my very best. He helps me understand the good and not the bad.”
When asked about his father’s role in his school life, the boy said that it was one which other kids would dream to have.
“The role that my dad plays in my school life is the kind of role a lot of children wish they could have. It’s a role I deeply appreciate. My dad gave up so much to provide for me and help me understand everything he’s doing.”
Amid this, the proud Junior spoke openly about the hard times he and his father faced together.
He also recognised how his dad pulled double duty.
“We got through those times by praying. We pray to God. Almighty God is the one who keeps us going. We fight together… My mom is part of my life, but my dad has taken care of me since I was nine months old. I truly appreciate that my dad plays both Mommy and Daddy.”
Randy Shepherd and his son, Randy Junior Sheperd
This publication also spoke with Randy Shepherd (Senior), who opened up about the challenges of raising a child alone and how it changed his perspective.
“It really made me respect single mothers; it’s just me and him, and it’s not easy—dealing with work, his school, homework, and still having to give attention. It’s challenging. There were times I wanted to give up, but I knew I couldn’t. If I had to do it all over again, I would.”
Shepherd reflected on how much he enjoys being a father and watching his son grow up.
“I remember when my son was two. I was bathing him, and he looked at me and asked, ‘Daddy, where is your daddy?’ I couldn’t answer him—I don’t know my father. He kept insisting. Eventually I said, ‘My dad went away and left me.’ And my son looked me dead in the eyes and said, ‘Daddy, would you leave me too?’ I still get emotional thinking about that. It told me the kind of father I had to be.”
There were other intense moments. Randy shared that he once collapsed from overwork and woke up in the ICU at Georgetown Hospital.
“The first thing I asked was, ‘Where’s my son?’ The doctor said he was okay. He was four at the time. And the doctor told me, ‘Your son saved your life.’”
At four years old, Randy’s son had called 911, given them directions to their home, and shared his dad’s date of birth and personal information.
That inspiration led Randy to start a small group called which aimed to enhance the mental well-being of men.
“Those little things… I’m not a perfect dad, but I know I’m doing something good. I share my journey on Facebook to encourage other men to be present in their children’s lives. It’s important.”
“A lot of men reach out to ask how I do it. I help them in their own way to become better fathers. Fatherhood isn’t easy. You have to love it. A father is a son’s first hero. And I can say that, proudly.”
Randy even teaches his son how to cook. “When I’m not home, he’ll cook. I just feel compelled to share our story because I believe it can help other men understand the importance of fatherhood.”
Regarding the split from his son’s mother, Randy admitted it wasn’t easy on his mental health. “One day she just called and said, ‘Come for your son; I’m putting him out.’ We weren’t even living together. Many times, I had to go to work with him clinging to me because I was afraid to trust anyone else with him.”
“I didn’t want to depend on others. I told myself, ‘I’m going to raise him myself.’”
And he did just so! —with grit, grace, and a whole lot of love.
