John Edmund Sherman

John Sherman passed away peacefully at home Tuesday, October 9, 2018. John lived the Jesuit motto of being “a man for others” throughout his life. John was born in Brooklyn, New York, October 15, 1935, to Elizabeth Mount and Russell Sherman. He is preceded in death by his mother and father, his brother Russell, Jr., his sister Ruth Sherman McGovern, and his son John Scott Sherman.

John graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School and immediately joined the Marines at the young age of 17. John served proudly in the First Marine Division during the Korean Conflict. He returned to the US as Sgt. Sherman. John used the GI bill to attend evening classes and graduate from Columbia University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He began his career with Ingersoll Rand in Manhattan, then in Painted Post (Corning), NY, eventually coming to Houston with Southwest Industries. During John’s extensive career in oil and gas, he traveled the globe from Canada, Switzerland, Columbia to the Middle East and had many harrowing adventures in Sudan, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt. John worked with Crawford Enterprises and opened an office in Mexico City, with travels to the jungles of Villahermosa, and established one of the largest offshore platforms for Pemex. In his later years John was active in the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE). He mentored others with his extensive knowledge of the energy industry.

John volunteered with the Sam Houston Area Council of Boy Scouts of America for many years. He was also the Chairman of the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Boy Scouts for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and encouraged Catholic scouts to work toward and receive their Ad Altare Dei religious medal. He and Gay volunteered with orchestra and band at Strake Jesuit College Prep and volunteered with the Houston Youth Symphony. John is a member of St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church in Spring, TX. John and Gay were 32 year residents of Grantwood in Cypress, TX, always helping neighbors during the floods of the 90’s, cooking meals, gathering donations for flood victims and even boarding horses, dogs and people for several months. After downsizing, they relocated to Champions Terrace community where John was actively committed to the HOA, Director of MUD 48, and many neighborhood activities. Anyone who needed help only had to ask and John was there to assist. John was also a director of Cypress Creek Flood Control Coalition and believed in utilizing green space for residents to enjoy nature. John never met a stranger, talked to everyone, was courteous, always held the door for others, a real gentleman.

John was a patriot, believing in our great American heritage. During the election season, he worked for Harris County Ballot Board and Signature Verification Committee. John believed that it is our right to have our votes counted accurately, no matter which political party was in power; however, he was a life-long conservative Republican.

John is survived by Gay, his wife of 39 years, his daughter Kim Sherman Estrada, Will and Marie Sherman, his son and daughter-in-law, four beautiful granddaughters, Brianna Bodmer, Alexis, Natalie and Sophia Estrada, his sister Elizabeth (Betsy) Sherman, nephew John McGovern and his newly found brother, Frank Mount, in whom he took great joy and love in discovering, Cousin Joanie Nolan.

John will be greatly missed by all whom he touched in some small way.

Thanks to Kelsey Seybold doctors who so kindly cared for John the last six years, especially Dr. Bruce Barnam and Dr. Memet Abarra and their wonderful staff members.

A visitation will be held in his honor on Tuesday, October 16, 2018 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. inside the Chapel of American Heritage Funeral Home, 10710 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston Texas 77038. The Celebration of Life service will take place on Wednesday, October 17, 2018 at 10:30 a.m., after which he will be escorted to be laid to rest with honors at the Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston Texas 77038.