Daniel Alan Sherrod

He was born June 24, 1943, in Robinson, Illinois, to the late Vincent Sherrod, MD, and Julia Sayer Sherrod. His parents moved to West Texas in 1950 where Alan Sherrod set up a one-man medical practice which lasted eleven years. Dan and his siblings, Peter, Katie, and Michael grew up in the small desert town of Iraan, Texas, in an oil field community. The family later moved 80 miles north to Odessa. He attended Saint Edward’s High School in Austin, at that time part of Saint Edward’s University, graduating in 1961. He went on to attend St. Louis University where he met his future wife, Patty Hornemann, in freshmen English class. Dan graduated in 1965 with a degree in history with minors in English and business. Following graduation, he earned a Master’s in history from Texas Tech University and married his sweetheart, Patty, in Saint Louis, MO, in 1967. Dan spent two years as a high school teacher in Odessa and then later at Bishop Lynch High School in Dallas before entering the insurance business. He joined the Ron Patterson Insurance Agency and was a partner for over 26 years, retiring in 2012.

Dan had four things in life that he cherished the most – his faith, his wife, his children, and sports car racing – but, as Patty often teased him, not necessarily in that order. At a young age, taking after his dad who loved cars and was active in establishing the West Texas Region of the Sports Car Club of America, he began a lifelong love affair with motor sports. Dan learned all aspects of the racing world and admired the guys who loved to go fast in the days before seat belts and helmets. They did rallies, gymkhanas, and hill climbs all over West Texas. When he went off to college where freshmen couldn’t have cars on campus, Dan was determined to bring his Austin Healy convertible. He found a garage off campus to store it. Being a freshman with a car was not always conducive to serious studies, and by the end of freshman year, he narrowly escaped dismissal from SLU. Meeting Patty at the end of that year must have been beneficial because he returned as a sophomore.

He was a member of the Texas Region Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) for 50+ years, racing several times at Greater Southwest Raceway and Green Valley Raceway. In later years, Dan became involved with the administrative side of racing, serving two terms on the SCCA Board of Directors. One of his favorite achievements was serving as a crew member for his friend Craig Taylor who won the Runoffs in 1990. For the last 20 years, Dan has served as the course marshall and pace car driver at races in Texas, Wisconsin, Georgia, Virginia Oklahoma, and places in between. His friends in the racing world are legion and he is respected for his knowledge and love of the sport. Cars and racing were more than a hobby for Dan; they were his passion.

He was a devoted husband and father. His love for his family ran deep. Dan’s

faith in God was strong and steady. As a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Richardson, he served as Eucharistic Minister for 25 years, taught Faith Formation, helped count the Sunday collection, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus in his college days. He believed in the sanctity of human life and with Patty supported many efforts to protect unborn children and help their mothers.

Dan and Patty enjoyed traveling and their trips to Europe and in the States were among the happiest times of their lives. Ireland and New Orleans were favorite destinations. His many trips around Texas allowed him to savor wines from across the state. Dan was a World War II buff and enjoyed the trips even more when he could squeeze in a history lesson.

Dan had a large stature and even larger personality. He was outgoing and personable, yet could be a man of few words. Dan had a generous heart, always willing to give advice and point others in the right direction, if they sought his opinion. He was always a man faithful to his word and most admired that same trait in others. His zest for life and love for his family and racing will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved and him.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 54 years, Patricia “Patty” Sherrod; four children, Christopher (Brenda) Sherrod of Plano, Julianne Sherrod (Steve Grill) of Colorado Springs, CO, Margaret La Barba, and Gina (Bryan) Hlavaty of Dallas; five grandchildren, Virginia, Natalie, Samuel, Calliope, and Sean; brothers, Peter Stewart Sherrod of Plano and Michael (Melissa) Sherrod of Fort Worth; and a sister, Katie Sherrod, of Fort Worth. He was “Uncle Dan” to the numerous nieces and nephews that he dearly loved.

Visitation will be held at Sparkman Funeral Home on Friday, April 1, 2022, from 3:00 -7:00 pm with a rosary service from 5:30 – 6:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, April 2, 2022, at 10:30 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 600 S. Jupiter Rd, Richardson, TX 75081. Burial will follow in Calvary Hill Cemetery in Dallas. Memorial gifts to honor Dan may be made to Project Gabriel, Bella House, or St. Joseph Catholic School. Those wishing to send condolences, write a personal memory, or sign the online guestbook may visit www.sparkmanrichardson.com.