David Howard Sherbrook

*September 3, 1940 – October 1, 2025*

David Howard Sherbrook passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by family on October 1, 2025, in Hawthorne, California, at the age of 85 after a long, hard-fought battle with cancer. Born on September 3, 1940, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the fourth child to Herb and Ora Sherbrook. Dave lived a full and vibrant life marked by hard work, creativity, and a deep love for music and family.

Dave grew up in West Allis, Wisconsin, where he attended Central High School with the Class of 1959. He then adventured to California "with $100 in his pocket" and started a new chapter. He attended El Camino College in Torrance and graduated in 1965 before earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Long Beach State in 1970.

Throughout his life, Dave was never afraid to roll up his sleeves. As a young man, he took on nearly every kind of job imaginable, starting at just 7 years old in his parent's soda shop. After moving to California and attending Junior College, he married and started raising a family. During this time he worked part-time at TRW and attended night school to earn his Bachelor's Degree. His dedication paid off when he joined NCR Corporation after graduation. There he refined his skills as a salesman—an asset that would be a part of his lifelong career. In the early 1990s, Dave founded Star Business Forms and over the next three decades, he built a successful company designing and brokering business printing needs for a loyal clientele.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Dave was known for his charismatic, fun loving personality. Everyone he met quickly became a friend. A true handyman at heart, he could fix just about anything and was always ready to lend a helping hand. But he especially loved "fixing" yummy meals and baking up sweet treats! He was very outgoing and enjoyed camping, four-wheel driving off the beaten path with the Rough Wheelers, riding his Harley Davidson motorcycles to many organized rallies, flying small aircraft with his pilot's license, trail riding on horseback, traveling across the country in his motorhome with a constant German Shepherd companion and attending Bluegrass Festivals and jam sessions.

Music was the heartbeat of Dave’s life. His mother, a singer and pianist raised him with classical and opera and instilled in him a deep musical appreciation. He started playing guitar at age 7 and throughout his life learned to play almost any instrument he could get his hands on, but had a special love for the fiddle. In 1977, Dave and his then-wife Luana formed the Sherbrook Family Bluegrass Band with their young daughters who were ages 5, 7 and 10, each singing and playing instruments. They performed professionally for nearly nine formative years, playing for community and private events and at fairs and festivals all over California, Nevada, Arizona and beyond. His passion for music left an indelible mark on his family and everyone who knew him.

Dave was preceded in death by his sisters Gloria McFadzen and Patricia Shetzler and is survived by his older brother Tom Sherbrook of Wisconsin; daughters Sherry Guitare (Greg), Carol Anaya (Louie), and Sandy Sherbrook; grandchildren Shayna, Ryan, Alyssa, August, and Aiden; as well as his beloved German Shepherd, Shadow.

May David Howard Sherbrook’s memory continue to bring joy to all who knew him—and may the music he so dearly loved play on through generations to come.

His memorial will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Lighthouse Memorial and Receptions, Rice Center, 5310 Torrance Blvd., Torrance, CA. There will be a viewing at 10:00 AM and the Memorial Service will begin at 11:00 AM. A gathering will be held immediately following at 11:45 AM also at Lighthouse Memorial and Receptions. Musicians are welcome to bring instruments for a little jam session in his honor. His Burial will take place at 02:00 PM at Pacific Crest Cemetery 2701 182nd St., Redondo Beach.