January 27, 1922 – August 29, 2016

Sherman was born January 27, 1922 in Richmond, Kentucky to Coy Agee and Eleanor Wilcox Agee and died peacefully on August 29, 2016 at the age of 94 surrounded by his wife and children in Gardnerville, Nevada.

In his early years Sherman was raised by his grandparents in Fort Smith, Arkansas and St. Louis Missouri. His mother took over his care at the age of 12 in Alameda, California, he was adopted by his stepfather and began his life as Sherman (Sherm) McKissock.

Sherman and his wife Dorothy would have been married 73 years this October. They met in Alameda, California in grammar school when Dorothy was 9 and Sherman was 12. Dorothy’s brother Earl Peck was Sherm’s best friend and Sherm thought of Dorothy as a pest until she turned 15. Suddenly before his eyes she changed into a girl! After their first date, Dorothy told her brother that Sherm “was it” the rest is history. They became engaged and married in Baltimore, Maryland during World War II in 1943.

Sherm was very blessed and proud of his large family, they had 6 children: Lynda McDowell, Gordon McKissock (deceased),Marge Glaser, Jeanette Grubbs, Marianne Johnston and William McKissock; their sixteen grandchildren, their nineteen great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

After High School Sherm went to work at a bank which began his banking career and eventually he became a Vice President of Wells Fargo Bank. When World War II broke out Sherm wanted to be a pilot. After taking an eye exam he found out he was color blind. The Air Force, Marines and Navy did not want him due to his color blindness. A friend told him about the Merchant Marines and they accepted him colored blind or not! He went to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, New York in the engineer program. He eventually received his 2nd engineers license. His home port was Naples, Italy. When in Okinawa his ship was targeted by Kamikaze’s and he was one of the lucky ones to make it home. Sherm was very patriotic and had such a love for country.

In 1945 Sherm and Dorothy along with Dorothy’s brother, Earl Peck bought some property on Sierra Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe. Sherm, Dorothy and Earl had some cottages built and rented them out in the summer.

After the war Sherm returned to banking in the Bay Area and in 1963 moved his family from Alameda, California to the South Shore of Lake Tahoe to open the first Wells Fargo bank as the bank manager. He was very active in the community and was part of a task force committee to look at the pros and cons of South Tahoe becoming a city. He was active in the South Tahoe Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce and had served as President in both organizations. He sketched the first logo for the chamber which was used for many years. Sherm served on the Citizens Committee Research for the future Lake Tahoe Community College. In March of 2015 Sherm received an honorary lifetime membership with the Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce.

Sherm was an elder in the Lake Tahoe Community Presbyterian church and the church treasurer for many years. He was a Director of the Barton Hospital Board and volunteered at the hospital to stay current on the goings on at the hospital. He and his wife Dorothy volunteered to serve at Bread and Broth for many years. Sherm loved to play golf and bridge and did his best to play both as often as he could.

In 1968 Wells Fargo asked Sherm to move to San Fernando Valley, California to open new branches in the area. To get his wife to leave her beloved Lake Tahoe, Sherm promised a swimming pool, but soon found heavy equipment was unable to get to the back of the new home. He took matters in his own hands and began to dig, one shovel full at a time, a pool for the family. This project took one full year (after work and weekends). The pool was enjoyed by all! He continued his community service by serving as President of the Van Nuys Chamber of Commerce in 1968 and President of the Woodland Hills Chamber of Commerce in 1971. He served as treasurer in the Woodland Hills Rotary Club and treasurer for the San Fernando Valley Industrial Association.

After retiring from Wells Fargo, Sherm returned to South Lake Tahoe in 1978 and became the Manager of the South Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce. Eventually he was encouraged to re-enter the banking business again at Stateline, Nevada as Vice President and Manager this time with First Interstate Bank which eventually became Wells Fargo Bank. After 43 1/2 years in the banking business Sherman retired. While living at Stateline, Nevada, Sherm became involved in politics and eventually became Chairman of the Douglas County Republican Central Committee. Always keeping busy he was appointed to the Douglas County Board of Equalization.

Sherm and Dorothy moved from their home in Stateline, Nevada to Escondido, California in 2004 into Champagne Village at the Lawrence Welk Resort to live closer to 3 of their children and leave the snow and ice behind. Two of their children stayed at Lake Tahoe and another in Verdi.

In 2014, Sherm and Dorothy moved again this time to Minden, Nevada to be closer to their family and beloved Lake Tahoe. Sherm enjoyed the friendliness of the people of the Carson Valley and he and Dorothy became members of the Carson Valley United Methodist church.

Sherm is survived by his wife Dorothy, his brothers, Jim McKissock (Kathy), El Cerrito, CA, Harold Agee (Nel), Richmond, Kentucky and Marvin Agee, Richmond, Kentucky. Sherm’s sister, Helen Agee Hacker, Richmond, Kentucky. Five of their six children, Lynda McDowell (Robert), Gardnerville, Nevada; Marge Glaser (Steve), Gardnerville, NV; Jeanette Grubbs (John), Bend, Oregon; Marianne Johnston (Stan), Escondido, CA and William McKissock, Round Hill, Nevada. Fourteen of their sixteen grandchildren, Kevin Kjer (Kristy), Stateline, Nevada; Kirsten Kjer Jobb, Brentwood, CA, Karyn Kjer Clay (John) Waimea, Hawaii, Robert McKissock, Desert Hot Springs, CA; Ian McKissock, South Lake Tahoe; Joline McKissock Welch (Josh), South Lake Tahoe, Jamie McKissock Spears (Ramen), Valley Springs, CA; Sean Glaser (Marissa) Escondido, CA; Alyson Glaser Ritz, Las Vegas, NV; Heather Grubbs Smith (Robert) Nicaragua/Bend Oregon; Tiffany Grubbs Hernandez, (Chris) Bend, Oregon; Justin Johnston (Jennifer) Oceanside, CA; Kylene McKissock, Truckee, CA; Jared McKissock, Petaluma, CA. He is survived by 19 great grand children, one great, great grandchild. His nephew Mark Peck, South Lake Tahoe , CA, grand niece Tatiana Peck, CA, Earl Peck, Freemont, CA and nephew Dennis Peck, Moraga, CA.

Sherm is predeceased by his parents, Coy Agee and Eleanor Agee McKissock, his stepfather Charles (Mac) McKissock, his son, Gordon McKissock and Granddaughter, Christy Glaser.

There will be a celebration of life gathering for Sherman on Sunday, September 18th, between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM at the home of daughter Marge and son-in-law Steve Glaser. Please call and leave a message with Lynda McDowell, 775-392-1234 if you are able to attend.