Alan Elliott Sherman

The family moved to Denver at the end of World War II, and he attended schools in the Denver area, graduating from South High School in 1956. Following graduation, Al attended Colorado State College (now University of Northern Colorado), playing and lettering in basketball all four years. While there, he met Beverly Ann Buderus from Fort Collins. They fell in love and were married on September 14, 1958.

From that marriage three children were born, Jeffery Alan, Michael Paul, and Laura Ann. Al’s first Teaching/Coaching job was in Deer Trail, Colorado. The family moved to DeBeque following the birth of Michael where both Al and Beverly began teaching at the DeBeque School. The marriage ended sadly when Beverly passed away 27 years later due to complications from Multiple Sclerosis.

Al taught a full daily schedule of history and social studies classes as well as some physical education classes. Later in the day, he coached basketball on all levels, with track in the springtime. It was a great time in his professional career leading his teams to over 300 victories against schools of various levels and qualifying for games at state in 1975, 1976, and 1978. Al felt fortunate that he was able to coach all three of his children. Al also coached baseball in the spring and cross country in the fall with successful runners qualifying for the state meet on the eastern slope. He was nominated for Coach of the Year in 1989 and was honored on the State Senate Floor on May 18, 1989, with a designation that it was Al Sherman Day. The gymnasium at the school was named the Al Sherman Gym in 2006

He married his next-door Math teacher, Bernadine Rae (Foree) Wilson on March 29, 1987. They continued to teach and coach until his retirement in 1998. After retirement, while Bernadine continued to teach at Colorado Mesa University, Al volunteered with RSVP helping fourth-grade boys learn to read for comprehension. He did this until COVID shut down the schools. He also worked with the American Cancer Society driving cancer patients to and from treatments. He later became the coordinator of the Road to Recovery Program where he trained drivers and supplied drivers to patients for over 20 years.

He was a true Colorado Sports fan, supporting all the state’s professional and, of course, local teams. Bernadine and Alan are both members of Fruita United Methodist Church where Al was an active member of the men’s breakfast group.

Alan passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by loved ones after a lengthy cancer illness.

Preceding him in death are his parents, his first wife Beverly, his brother Leonard, his son Michael, his stepson Bob Wilson Jr., and his great-grandson, Jackson Alan Sherman. He is survived by his wife, his sister, Dora Hildebrand in Fort Collins; his son Jeff (Julee) in Fayette, MO; daughter Laura in San Marcos, CA; stepson Brad Wilson in Grand Junction and stepdaughter Sherri Wilson (Andy Rosedahl) in Grand Junction. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

The family is planning a memorial celebration of his life in June.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to either Hope West or the Fruita United Methodist Church.