Gregory E. Sherman

Greg’s family moved to Clinton, Iowa where Greg attended St. Irenaeus Catholic School from Kindergarten through seventh grade. Greg was active in the Boy Scouts, and Choir; he was also an altar boy.

The family returned to Washington in 1940, where Greg graduated from St. Benedict’s Grade School in 1941.

Greg attended O’Dea High School and graduated in 1945, where he played football from 1942-1944. Greg sang in the Glee club, he was president of the O’Dea Letterman’s Club and he was President of the youth group at St. Benedict’s Parish in 1944-1945.

He joined the Marine Corps in May of 1945, where he served on the “Marine Force Pacific Fleet.” Greg returned to Seattle where he graduated from Seattle University in 1950 with a degree in Finance.

A year later in 1951, Greg married the love of his life, a beautiful nurse by the name of Therese Bergenheier. Together Greg and Therese built their first home in Bellevue, WA. Soon their home was filled with five beautiful children all less than a year apart. The eldest Peggy, then Peter, followed by Lucy, Becky and Greg Jr.

Greg and Therese were not only active at home with five children; they were active in their church, Sacred Heart Parish in Bellevue as well as other groups in the community.

In 1959 Greg ran for State Legislator, he missed the nomination by 15 votes! He had an avid interest in politics, especially in the Optical Community. His family owned and operated several stores under the name of “Sherman Optical,” where Greg worked as an Optometrist alongside his father and several of his brothers.

In 1961 Greg suffered “Retinal Separation” which caused him to become legally blind in his right eye. Greg ended up changing careers due to his loss of vision. He became a “Financial Planner/Advisor” for IDS (Investors Diversified Services).

In 1963 Greg, Therese and their family moved to Bellingham WA, where Greg served as District Manager for IDS. Greg loved helping people with their financial planning just as he loved helping people with their vision as an Optician.

In 1969 Greg became Divisional Manager of IDS in Yakima. His territory included Central Washington and Oregon. This position allowed him to travel more and to expand his knowledge as an investment broker/planner/counselor! Greg also earned a degree as CLU “Certified Life Underwriter.”

As a financial planner, Greg was able to touch thousands of people… thus forever changing their lives by investing their hard earned money. He always said “If you invest with me, you’ll never have to eat puppy food when you are old and grey! Hilarious! Greg retired from IDS in January of 1986.

Since retiring, Greg was active in his church, Holy Family Parish where he and Therese taught Sunday school, sang in the choir and attended the many church socials.

He was also involved in the “Right to Life Movement.” He spent hundreds of hours carrying signs, marching and showing people the sanctity of life. This was one of the true joys of his life! He sincerely believed that NO baby should ever suffer through abortion.

Greg was not just a force in the Right to Life Movement; he was a force to be reckoned with in his daily life. He was an amazing husband, father, father-in-law, son, brother, grandfather, great grandfather and he was a friend to many! All of those who came in contact with him never forgot him. He was truly one of a kind!

Greg is preceded in death by his beloved wife Therese, his parents John and Mary, his sisters Margaret and Mary and his brothers John, Fred, Richard and Warren.

He is survived by his daughters, Peggy Spiehs of AZ, Lucy (Karlese) and her husband Tom Prince of Kent, WA, Rebecca Condotta of Wenatchee, his sons, Peter Sherman of AZ, Greg Jr. and his wife LaDawn of Warren, Oregon. Greg also has countless grandchildren as well as many great grandchildren who all fondly called him “GREAT.” Greg truly was great! Greg is also survived by his twin sisters, Betty Mae of California and Betty June and her husband, Bob of Arizona.

Thank you dad for all that you taught us, mirrored for us, the encouragement given to us and the love shown to us. We are very blessed to have had you for a father.

Rest in peace Daddy Dear… rest in peace!

Donations may be made to Birthright of Yakima and Life Choices of Yakima.

Viewing will be held at Keith & Keith Funeral Home on Monday, November 27, 2017 from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. with a vigil service beginning at 6:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Family Catholic Church, 5315 Tieton Drive Yakima on Tuesday, November 28, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. Concluding services and burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery with full military honors.

To share a memory of Greg, visit www.keithandkeith.com.