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Search Menu Login Reset Password Home Weather Archive Sign Up for Alerts Full Site Close Menu Aushna Shepherd greats her son Alex at their home in Ashland after returning from the hospital in December. Mail Tribune / Jamie Lusch Family, friends celebrate life of Alex Shepherd By Ryan Pfeil For the Tidings June 08, 2015 - 12:01 AM Kind, intelligent, funny. Brave. That's how family and friends described 13-year-old Alex Shepherd Sunday afternoon during his celebration of life service at Grizzly Peak Winery. Alex died May 5 after a two-year battle with brain cancer, but his loved ones said the fight didn't damage his spirit or sense of humor. "He really didn't let a lot slow him down until toward the end," said family friend Kimberly Bruhn.  Many of those who packed the service wore Hawaiian shirts and fedoras, a nod to Alex's hat of choice. A posse of bicyclists made a 10-mile ride from Phoenix and showed up in "Team Alex" garb to honor his love of bikes that didn't waver during his treatment. "He stayed pretty upbeat and kept caring about the things he cared about," said Glen Gann, a Team Alex rider.  The website  www.team-alex.com  details Alex's cancer fight. He was diagnosed with Grade 3 Anaplastic Astrocytoma at age 11. For more than a year, he underwent an aggressive treatment regimen, including four surgeries. Community support, the popular "Team Alex" Facebook page — currently more than 18,000 followers strong — and an appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" helped spread his story, and his family's, across the country and world.  "We have been shown such an amazing side of humanity," a program from the service reads. "From donations sent from other countries to children selling lemonade for us."  During Alex's treatment, the Make-A-Wish Foundation also sent the Shepherds on a trip to Hawaii.  Friends, family members, teachers and others shared stories about how their son, nephew, friend and student had impacted their lives. "He created awareness of how precious our lives are here on Earth," father Dan Shepherd said.  Woven together, the shared stories detailed a boy with an on-point sense of humor who loved cats — a section of the Jackson County Animal Shelter has been renamed in his honor — bicycle racing, remote-control vehicles and learning. When he was 9, he asked for an anatomy and physiology textbook so he could get a head start on medical school, where he wanted to study to be a brain or cardiac surgeon. Speakers also described a brother who adored his little sister, treasured his friends and had a deep faith in God.  "Alex was more than my friend. He was, and still is, my family," Alex's friend Silas told the crowd. "I miss him very much, and I'm sure you all do, too." The end of the celebration of life service included a slideshow put together by Alex's mother, Aushna, and some closing remarks from his father. Dan Shepherd encouraged the crowd to think of Alex whenever they saw a shooting star, something he wanted to see but never got to. "Be on shooting star patrol," he said.  Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected] "> [email protected] . Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil . Popular Today Former Daily Tidings building transformed Overnight lightning sparks fires in Jackson County Guanajuato delegation ready for departure Waterkeeper President RFK Jr. visits southern Oregon 5 neon signs to see in Ashland New wolf shows up in Southern Oregon Record heat Latest Photo Galleries home search Full Site video weather daily archive txt alerts about mobile website limelight deals jobs real estate © Copyright Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications | Full Site