Merritt Washington Sherman
February 22, 1909 - November 15, 2013
Obituary
Merritt Washington “Jim” Sherman passed away on November 15, 2013, in Seattle.
Born in Kadoka, South Dakota, on February 22, 1909, he was the seventh of eight children to Herbert and Harriet Sherman. Jim came to Seattle in 1915 and began attending Highland Park School. In 1932 he and Ina Korpela were married, and shared 75 wonderful years together until her death in 2006. Jim went to work for the Railway Express Agency in 1935 where he spent the next thirty years. He was also employed by the Seattle Police Department from 1988 to 2005 as a school crossing guard. During their retirement Jim and Ina enjoyed spending time with family and wintering with friends in Hemet, California. They were also active members in their Merry Mixers square dancing group. Jim loved to garden, and was renowned for his tomatoes and his dahlias.
His wife, Ina, and a son, Merritt James “Jimmy” Sherman, precede him in death. Jim is survived by his daughter, Carol Kent (Jerry), grandchildren Dan Kent (Marita, deceased), Ron Kent (Tami), Randy Kent (Karen), Ed Sherman (Chris), Renee Craig (Tony), 15 great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service and interment will be held on Saturday, November 30, 2013, at 1 p.m. at Bonney Watson Washington Memorial, 16445 International Boulevard, SeaTac, WA, 98188.
Remembrances may be made to the Boulevard Park Presbyterian Church Building Fund.
When Mr.Sherman started serving as Highland Park’s crossing guard he soon became one of my favorite people. He was in every sense of the word a gentleman … kind, considerate, polite, humble. Even at age 104 he stood tall and straight. He was a veritable treasure trove of history regarding Seattle (especially the Highland Park area). I will always remember him fondly and appreciate my memories of him.
Thank you Mr. Sherman for your years of service making sure the students at Highland Park arrived and departed from school safely. You always welcomed visitors so openly and kindly. You are missed.