Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Sherman Alden Cowdrey, 89, passed away Wednesday, September 29, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. He was born September 5, 1932 in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, the son of C. Francis Cowdrey, Jr. and Florence (Alden) Cowdrey.
Sherman graduated from Wilbraham Academy in Wilbraham, Massachusetts in 1950 and from Norwich University (the military college of Vermont) in 1954 and entered active duty service in the United States Army. He met his sweetheart and wife-to-be, Janet Lucia of West Hartford, Connecticut, at United Airlines where she worked as a reservation agent. Sherman’s military assignments took the couple to Germany, Taiwan and throughout the United States. Following his military service, he worked as a civilian employee for the federal government in hospitality services and financial management.
Surviving in addition to his beloved wife of 65 years, Janet Cowdrey, are his brother, William D. Cowdrey and his wife, Jackie Cowdrey, and his nephew, Steven A. Brockett. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Cynthia (Cowdrey) Brockett.
Sherman enjoyed the distinctions of being a Mayflower descendant of John Alden and the grandnephew of James Naismith, the inventor of the sport of basketball.
Known for his keen intellect and love of learning, Sherman had a warm-hearted personality and loved and treated everyone with the utmost respect. He was truly a model officer and gentleman.
A memorial Mass will be held for Sherman on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. October 7, 2021 at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church on 6853 South Prince Street in Littleton, Colorado.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.olingerchapelhill.com for the Cowdrey family.
