James Robert Sherman, of Longmont, passed away peacefully in his home on March 19, 2019. He was 82 years old. He was born on October 24, 1936 in Niwot, Colorado to James and Laverne (Robinson) Sherman.
Jim, the oldest of three brothers, grew up on the family farm of what is now at the area of 95th and Arapahoe. He graduated from Louisville High School in 1956. As a young man, Jim played football for the well-known and respected Coach Monte Sutak. If not playing sports, he was very involved with 4H where he raised a black angus every year for the county fair.
In 1957, Jim married high school classmate, Sharon Hefton. The Sherman’s lived in Louisville until 1965 when they moved to Longmont, Colorado. They settled in to their home on 11th Avenue, which was once the Carlson Farmstead, where Jim's mother was raised. They were blessed with three children, Christopher, Jeffrey and Kelly.
Jim and Sharon divorced in 1994, and shortly after, he met Betty Littlejohn of Louisville. Jim and Betty would go to coffee after church at McDonald’s, and take all of Betty's grandchildren with them and sit and chat for hours while the kids played. Betty always said Jim had been a blessing in her life because she had needed a second car to transport all of her grandchildren. Their coffee dates at McDonald’s were the highlight of their week and Jim quickly became known as “Grandpa” to all of the kids. They fell in love and married in 1996 and celebrated that love every day until Jim's death.
Jim and Betty made sure to attend every family function, special event, and holiday they could squeeze in together. Jim took special pride in watching his grand and great-grandchildren grow. Jim loved "people watching" and could spend hours learning about almost anything or touring a museum. He even said he could spend a week at the Smithsonian!
Jim retired from The Bureau of Standards in Boulder after 43 years of service. For his dedication, he was recognized in Washington, DC on the floor of Congress for a lifetime of government service, and given the highest honor given to a civilian for government work.
Jim was certainly a unique individual. He knew everyone and everyone knew him (and his labradoodle, Chester). Jack of all trades, Jim was that neighbor you could always count on to lend a helping hand regardless of the situation. When that certain item, tool, or gadget was needed to fix something, Jim probably had it. He was the man of 100 projects and always had ideas to add another 100 to the list if you asked him. Jim and Betty loved spending time camping at Crystal Lakes where they always planned on building their dream cabin. Jim also enjoyed his leisure time, gardening, traveling with Betty, and was even a member of a motorcycle club.
Jim is survived by his wife, Betty of Longmont; children, Jeff of Erie and Kelly (Troy) Burton of Firestone; step-children, Tina Littlejohn and David Littlejohn; brothers, Wilbert and Kenneth; grandchildren, Megan (Scott) Peterson, Chelsea (Mike) Barger, Brandon Littlejohn, Morgan (Daryll) Colwell, Sienna (Josh) Kozin, Kayla (David) Lewis; great grandchildren, Evalynn, Audrey, Tristan, Landrie, and Jocelynn, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In addition to his parents and first wife, Jim was preceded in death by his son, Christopher.
A Celebration of Life will be held 10am, Saturday, April 6, 2019 at First Baptist Church at 701 Kimbark St, Longmont, CO 80501.
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