Lester Sherman Obituary

Lester Ivan (Jerry "Judge") Sherman of Durango, Colorado

June, 1936 to January 12, 2021 - Age 84 1/2

"Here comes the Judge" ... Somewhere in the great beyond an "All Rise" was issued for His Honor. We used to get a chuckle out of these words growing up. He was "The Judge" to most who knew him well and there were many. Over the years, he exercised his penchant for weak coffee, junk food, spy novels, off-color jokes, and cigarettes until that last avocation got the best of him.

Jerry Sherman passed away in the early hours of January 12th, 2021 due to the agents of emphysema, age and just plain worn out parts. He was surrounded by family and showered with love and attention in his last days, peacefully passing, knowing his legacy was preserved and his progeny intact.

Born in June 1936 in Flagler, Colorado to Helen Evelyn Sutton Sherman, Jerry spent his early years building fences, racing horses, and raising wheat in eastern Colorado. He left home at 15 and managed his own path through high school (Ft. Collins High) business school (University of Denver) and finally, law school (University of Denver Law School) graduating with his Juris Doctorate in 1962. It is an admirable feat finding a way to attend a prestigious school self-supported.

He married Lois Hafling (later known as Crystal Carroll), a Durango girl he met at CSU, in 1959 and the couple relocated to Durango in the mid-sixties. The family remained steadfast Durangoans from then on, and despite divorcing in the late 1980s, Jerry and Crystal remained close to their family and to each other.

Jerry found new love following his divorce from Lois and eventually tied the knot again to Kay Brown from Minnesota in 1995. They remained lovers, friends, and companions in orneriness from there on out. Life is interesting, to say the least, and death even more so as he finished out his last few years living with his 2nd wife in the home of his first wife. Full circle brought them all under one roof in the family home where the entire family was gathered to bid farewell.

Judge Sherman was asked to serve as County Judge in 1966 at the age of 30. He would serve for the next 10 years before stepping down to practice law full time. Over the years he was instrumental in Durango developments such as Shenandoah, Durango West, Tamarron, Animas Airpark, and many others. Between his careers in real estate, development, dance instruction, fast food, hotel management, and the law, he managed to touch many lives and was accordingly touched by so many in Durango that sought him out for guidance and exchange of passionate ideas which kept him challenged and excited. He loved big, laughed often, and inspired many.

He is survived by his wife, Kay Sherman of Durango, his first wife Crystal Carroll of Durango, his three children, Kathi (Kate)/(Gerry Pressman) Engrenn of Venice Beach, California, Scott (Karen) Sherman of Solon, Iowa, and Brett (Lindsay) Sherman of Broomfield, Colorado. His nieces Leslie Carter of Loveland, Colorado, and Darene (Michael) Hiatt of Ft. Collins, Colorado. Between the three children, there are 10 grandchildren that brought him smiles, immense pride, and gratitude which he was more than willing to boast about over the course of the last 30 years.

He was also a member of the Durango Rotary and the Elks Club and, the Sigma Chi fraternity in his college days. He enjoyed skiing, jeeping, dancing, singing, and time with family.

We will miss you Pops.

In lieu of flowers, Jerry would be delighted if any who have the means would provide a meal for another, a drink for a friend, and a smile for a stranger. Donations in his name to your favorite charity would express the kindness he believed in.