Theodore Sherman Harding

It is with profound sadness that the family of Theodore Sherman Harding, II, 92, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 23, 2025. Sherman, as he was known, was surrounded by his loving wife, Marie Orizondo-Harding, and devoted daughter, Ashley Harding Trolle.

Sherman was born to his loving parents, Dr. and Mrs. Read Benedict Harding, Sr. (United States Air Force Retired), in Corozel, Canal Zone (Panama). Though he was 7 years his junior, he maintained a close relationship with his brother, Read Benedict Harding, Jr. Through his father’s responsibilities serving his country as a flight surgeon/ senior medical director, the family lived in several exotic countries and U.S. territories. This included Panama, Hawaii (then a United States territory), the United Kingdom, plus several military bases throughout the United States. Needless to say, Sherman was very well traveled by the time he was a young man. Sherman and his brother, Read Jr., were both students at Peacock Military Academy in San Antonio, TX. At the time, the college preparatory school was known nationally as the "West Point of Texas".

The family eventually settled in Arcadia, Florida, which had been pioneered by his mother’s family, the Gaskins and Stonebrakers. Sherman also attended Florida Military Academy in St. Petersburg and graduated from DeSoto County High School in 1950. There, his senior classmates voted him “most witty”. From there, he started at Florida Southern College, before his National Guard unit was activated, thus beginning his service in the United States Army. In 1952, he was honorably discharged and returned to college. At Florida Southern, he was a member of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. He graduated with Bachelor’s degrees in biology and history. Always yearning to learn more, he later earned a Master’s degree in history at Georgia Southern College, now Georgia Southern University.

He began his teaching career in DeSoto County. Opting for a change of scenery, he moved to Orlando where he began teaching history in the Orange County public school system. He taught at Colonial High School, Lakeview High School, and Lakeview Middle School. In total, he taught for 39 years before retiring. Throughout his years in academia, Sherman was known as a “history guru”. He had 22 articles published pertaining to the Civil War and acted in the role of consultant for Time Life series and National Geographic. Overall, Sherman was a very popular teacher, beloved by his students year after year.

In 1985, Sherman married Yolanda Marie Orizondo on June 22nd. Two years later, they welcomed their only child, Jessica Ashley Harding (Trolle). Ashley was the

“apple of his eye” and his “Baby Cakes”. Sherman retired from teaching when Ashley was still in school, taking on his favorite career as Mr. Mom. He took her and picked her up from school, took her to dance and music classes, all necessary appointments, and was the best hands-on father around. He loved going to Ashley’s school and sharing his lessons on history.

The family loved traveling, and Sherman’s extensive knowledge of history added to the excitement and joy of the experience. Sherman was incredibly funny, a lover of Diet Pepsi, Batman, Spiderman, Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” album, antiquing, attending military shows, collecting coins, stamps, World War II Japanese artifacts, and anything involving the Civil War. Always the witty one, he could pull the cleverest one-liners, could remember exact dates with precise accuracy at the drop of a hat, and was never afraid to be his silly, funny self. He was a joy to everyone who knew him, and memorable to those who met him. Sherman left a profound mark on the lives of many, and he will be forever missed.

Sherman is survived by his wife of 40 years, Marie, and his daughter, Ashley (Maximillian Trolle). He also leaves behind his one grandchild, Caladan Reid Trolle, his look-alike. He is preceded in death by his parents, Susie Stonebraker Harding and Read Benedict Harding, Sr., his brother, Read Jr., and his loving cousin, Lorna Mapes Blackwell.

A visitation and reception to honor Sherman will be held Sunday, February 2, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Woodlawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road, Gotha, FL 34734. A funeral service will commence at 4:00 p.m. He will be laid to rest immediately following the service at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Rd, Gotha, FL 34734.