Donald Charles Sherwood

Donald Charles Sherwood, 78, died in Yuma, Ariz., April 18, 2010, of an inoperable brain tumor.

He was born Jan. 13, 1932, in Oak Park, Ill., to Donald C. Sherwood and Margaret Ann (O’Connell) Sherwood.

The family moved to Kremmling, Colo., in 1938, then to Sedgwick, Colo., in 1945. Don worked in the Sherwood Drug Store, which the family purchased from his father Don’s uncle Dr. Warren Davidson, throughout his Sedgwick school years as a “soda jerk,” among other chores.

He also worked for Robert McHarg delivering small tanks of propane for household cookstoves and hot water heaters, as well as delivering sacks of Pioneer seed corn. In the fall, school was shut down for two or three weeks every year so students could help with the potato harvest. Don worked in the fields at that time.

He played the sousaphone (tuba) in the school band and loved Sousa marches throughout his life. Don graduated from Sedgwick Union High School in 1951.

He served in the Air Force from 1951 to 1955, plus another four years in the Air Force Reserve. He attained the rank of staff sergeant.

Don married Hazel Yvonne Ranch April 2, 1955, in Enumclaw, Wash. They lived in Washington several years, where he worked for Boeing. They moved to the Matanuska Valley in Alaska and lived in Wasilla for many years. He worked in Palmer as a credit union loan officer and real estate appraiser for Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union.

In the early 1990s, Don and Yvonne retired and became “snowbirds” wintering in Yuma, Ariz., and summering in Olympia, Wash. They were always active in their church, singing in the choir and performing duets and solos. Don was a Hospice volunteer. They took many trips and cruises to the Panama Canal, Egypt, England, Scotland and Russia, to name a few. They were also active in their Airstream Organization attending many rallies all over the United States.

Don is survived by his wife, Yvonne of Yuma; one sister, Betty Marie Evans (Robert), of Crook, Colo.; niece, Margaret Ann Evans, Sidney, Neb.; niece, Barbara Rutledge (Gary), of Crook, Colo.; great-niece Candice Rutledge, of Sterling, Colo.; many cousins, in-laws and a host of friends.

Inurnment will be in the Tacoma, Wash., National Cemetery. A memorial service is planned for October in Yuma. Memorials may be made in Donald Sherwood’s name to your local Hospice.