TSgt Richard R. Sherry, USAF (Ret.)

Rick was born on May 31st, 1936, in Detroit, Michigan to Raymond and Kathleen Sherry. He attended Mackenzie High School in Detroit and was active in Civil Air Patrol and JROTC. He left school at age 18 to enlist in the United States Air Force. While serving, he earned his GED.

It was during his first assignment to Osaka, Japan, that he met his beloved wife, Kimiko, while singing in the Itami AFB Catholic church choir. The two were married at the Itami Air Force Base Catholic Chapel on June 22, 1957. Rick proudly served twenty years and travelled with his family to many Air Force bases throughout Asia, Southeast Asia, and the United States. During this time, he became proficient in both the Japanese and Thai languages. He was awarded many decorations for his service, including the Meritorious Service Medal and two Air Force Commendation Medals

Rick and Kimiko had four children together: Elizabeth Hirose (Ryan), Joel Sherry (Lee), Christopher Sherry (Judy), and Deborah Beninati (William), five grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and three step-great-grandchildren.

Rick retired from the Air Force in 1974 and began a second career in retail sales and management. He also earned his associate degree from Pikes Peak Community College in 1981.

Rick was exceptionally service-minded and volunteered for many organizations throughout his adult life. He was a Webelos leader and mentored his sons from Cub Scouts until they earned their Eagle Scout commendations. He was active in the PTA and served as President for several years. After retirement, Rick attended the CSPD Citizen’s Academy and the El Paso County Sherriff’s Academy and served as a volunteer for the CSPD.

Rick was an aviation enthusiast and his encyclopedic knowledge of Air Force aviation and history was legendary. He assisted in preparing several research papers for various Air Force publications and aviation history books. He won many accolades for his skillfully built model airplanes and donated several to the WWII Aviation Museum in Colorado Springs for display.

Rick was preceded in death by his wife, Kimiko Harada Sherry; his parents, Raymond Clarence Sherry and Kathleen Alexander Sherry; his sister, Judith Sherry Elkins; and his grandson, Aaron Hirose. He is survived by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name can be made to the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region at https://www.hsppr.org/donate/tribute-giving/.

A visitation will be held, Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 10am at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home & Cemetery, 3825 Airport Road, Colorado Springs, CO, 80910.

Funeral service will be at Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 11am at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.

Entombment to follow in Memorial Gardens main mausoleum at Memorial Gardens Cemetery.