RICHARD SHERRILL obituary

KALISPELL - Richard “Dick” McCoy Sherrill, 71, formerly of Havre, died Saturday, Dec. 31, 2005, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

At his request, a private family service will be held in Havre.

Dick was born Aug. 8, 1934, in Chattanooga, Tenn., to George and Cecil Sherrill. He was raised in Chattanooga, where he attended public schools through the eighth grade. He attended a tech school in Miami, Fla., and received his GED during his time in the U.S. Air Force.

He married Perregrina “Perry” Fisher on Oct. 22, 1955, in Havre. Dick served in the Air Force from January 1952 through 1956, with his most significant duty assignment in Havre. He then was employed by the U.S. Postal Service from 1961 through his disability retirement in 1985. In 1989, he started a video production business and worked with that until 1991.

Dick spent many years playing and supporting softball in Havre. He played fast pitch softball with the 40 Acre Truck Stop in Lakeland, Fla., and also with Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven, Fla. He moved back to Havre in 1961 and co-founded the Havre Softball Association in 1962 along with six other softball enthusiasts in Havre. He played fast pitch softball in Havre from 1962 until his retirement from the game in 1979. He played in 23 Montana state softball tournaments and played on three state championship teams - in 1958 and '59 with Havre Highlanders and in 1975 with Master Sports. He played in two regional softball tournaments, in 1958 and 1975. He co-founded the Havre International Softball Tournament in 1965. He played in 11 international tournaments and was named to the International All-Star team four times. The Havre International Softball Committee dedicated the 16th annual tournament to Dick and Bob Evans, another co-founder. In 1988, Dick was selected to the Montana Softball Hall of Fame in Lewistown. He served on the Havre Softball Association Board of Directors from 1962 through 1970, and the Havre International Board of Directors from 1965 to 1975. He coached Little League Baseball, Babe Ruth Baseball and served on the Babe Ruth Board of Directors.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, George and Cecil Sherrill; sister, Louise Byrd; and brothers, Billy and Bob Sherrill.

Survivors include his wife, Perry Sherrill of Kalispell; brother, Gene Sherrill of Chattanooga; children, Mike (Becky) Sherrill and Eva (Richard) Dorcheus of Havre and Jeff (Sandy) Sherrill of Kalispell; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and his dog, Dixie.

Memorials can be sent to the Gift of Life, c/o Mike Sherrill, 1620 Juniper Drive, Havre, MT 59501.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is handling arrangements.