Jere Dean Sherrard
Jere Dean Sherrard, beloved uncle and friend, passed away peacefully on May 16, 2023 due to compilations from pneumonia; he was 94 years old. Jere had an inquisitive mind, a kind heart, and an infectious smile.
Born on May 14, 1929 to Lincoln and Beatrice Sherrard, Jere spent his childhood in the then small community of Santa Ana, California. A verbal child, Jere was always commenting on and questioning the world around him. School was not easy for Jere at first; it wasn’t until his parents discovered his need for glasses that Jere began to excel. The first book Jere ever read was Pinocchio, which he described as transporting himself to a magical, new world. His love of literature continued throughout his life and grew to include many authors, none more than J.R. Tolkien.
After high school, Jere attended the University of California, Davis earning a Bachelors of Science in chemistry in 1953. Shortly after graduating from college, Jere received what he would later describe as “a graduation gift from Uncle Sam” in the form of a draft notice. He put his degree to good use by working as a nutrition specialist for the army.
Upon his discharge in 1955, Jere worked as a chemist for Sunkist and Aerojet, before finally landing his dream job at IBM in 1968. During his nineteen year career there, Jere worked on many projects including being part of the team that created the IBM copier. In 1986, Jere took an early retirement to take care of his recently widowed mother. After his mother Beatrice passed away in 1995, Jere decided to join his sister and bother-in-law in Sequim.
His retirement years in Sequim proved to be happy ones for Jere. He became a member the Dungeness Bonsai Society, an active part of the Sequim Community Church, and a season ticket holder for the Port Angeles Symphony. These concerts gave Jere an opportunity to pursue his lifelong love of classical music. He also continued to be an avid football fan, always keeping track of the college games on Saturday and the pros on Sunday.
No tribute to Jere would be complete without mentioning his love for animals, in particular his dear cats. He seldom was without at least one cat in his house, and usually two. With this in mind, the family request that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to an animal charity of your choosing.
Jere is preceded in death by his parents Lincoln and Beatrice Sherrard, his sister and brother-in-law Noel and Harold Pomeroy, and his niece-in-law Patricia Pomeroy. He is survived by his nieces, Tammis Berkheimer and Treeva Beard, nephew Trent Pomeroy, nephew-in-law Donald Berheimer, as well as five grandnephews and nieces, and many great-grand nephews and nieces.
A celebration of life will be held at Sequim Community Church (950 N. 5th Ave., Sequim) on Wednesday, June 14 at 3:00 PM.
Norma LaVaun Harkins
Norma LaVaun Harkins of Port Angeles died of age-related causes at her residence on June 6, 2023.
She was 101.
Harkins was born March 3, 1922.
A funeral is scheduled for noon on Wednesday, June 14, at Queen of Angels Catholic Church, 209 W. 11th St., Port Angeles. A rosary is being held30 minutes prior to the mass. Graveside burial is at Ocean View Cemetery.
Sign an online guestbook for the family at drennanford.com.
