Steve D Sherwood

Steve was born in Waukegan, Illinois on October 17, 1966 to Roger and Carol (Wendt) Sherwood. He was the oldest of three; his younger brother Scott at the age of 17 tragically passed away during a motor vehicle accident. During his youth Steve moved around quit bit but finally settled in Mesa Arizona with his father. At a young age Steve developed a love of playing basketball and listening to music. In his teen years, he was often found on the court playing ball or at the amphitheater for a concert with his best friend Eric. His father had a landscaping business which Steve helped with to earn some extra money. Steve graduated from Mesa High School in 1985.

After his high school graduation Steve enlisted in the United States Navy. His basic training took place in San Diego, California. His first duty station was aboard the USS Midway out of Yokosuka, Japan. During this tour of duty he traveled to Singapore, Korea, the Philippines, Taiwan, India, Africa and Australia. In 1989, Steve was reassigned to the Naval Air Station Alameda, California. A year after being stationed in the Bay Area, he met Casey Gaffaney who was also enlisted in the Navy. Four months after meeting, Steve proposed on Valentine’s Day and they were married in Carson City, Nevada on November 1, 1992.

The couple maintained California as their home for a year after getting married, Casey stayed enlisted, but Steve was honorably discharged. He enlisted in the Naval Reserves, in addition to working at a Sports Bar, part time security, and baggage handling. The couple relocated to Honolulu Hawaii on Casey’s orders to the Naval Air Station at Barbers Point. There they enjoyed many concerts, soaking up the sun going to the beach and hiking to the waterfalls. Steve and Casey welcomed their first daughter, Carly, on October 30, 1996. After Carly was born Steve utilized his GI Bill to attend New York Technical Institute earning a Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Certificate. He worked various jobs before becoming a HVAC technician for the base housing contractor on Barbers Point.

In 1999 the family moved to Lancaster, California where they welcomed another daughter, Caitlyn, on January 14, 2001. Steve took a job as warehouse worker for a Rite Aid Distribution Center. In 2004 he transferred from the Lancaster warehouse to the Wilsonville, Oregon warehouse and the family decided to reside in the suburb of Tigard.

Steve enjoyed movies, music, and knew many trivial details about all. In fact several people have indicated that he would be their “phone a friend” option. In addition he loved sports, his favorite NBA team was the Phoenix Suns and NFL team was the Dallas Cowboys. He often boasted at the fact that he looked like Troy Aikman the former quarterback for the Cowboys. Not only did Steve watch basketball, he enjoyed playing the sport with co-workers and friends at the gym. He and his good friend Juan would play in leagues and tournaments around the Portland area. Many times he would come home after a hard day of work and playing multiple games of basketball and would literally crawl out of the car because he was cramping up so bad, only to turn around and do it again the next day. Steve had a soft spot for Cats; he and Casey rescued 3 kittens while living in Hawaii. They nursed the kittens to health after being abandoned while only a week or so old. He developed a special bond with one of the kittens, which he named Samson, an orange tabby. Samson was a unique kitty that enjoyed trips in the car to McDonalds with Steve.

Steve will be remembered as a compassionate, sensitive and caring man, who served his country honorably. His memory will forever live in the hearts of his family and friends.

Steve was preceded in death by his younger brother; Scott Sherwood. He is survived by his two daughters; Carly and Caitlyn Sherwood; wife, Casey Sherwood; his father and step mother, Roger and Wilma Sherwood; mother, Carol Wendt; sister and brother-in-law, Susan and Jimmy Whetstone; and his nephews, Sebastian and Aiden Whetstone.