Stephen Hal Sherard

Stephen Hal Sherard, known as Steve (and PopPop to his grandkids), went to his heavenly home at the age of 79 on Saturday, January 25, 2025. Steve was born in St. Joseph, Missouri on November 14, 1945 to Hal Elza Sherard, and Joan Louise (Beattie) Sherard. He graduated in 1963 from Lafayette High School in St. Joseph, MO.

Growing up, Steve loved sports and played competitive baseball where he pitched and hit. He played in numerous select leagues and was offered a job with the Pittsburgh Farm team at the age of 18. He started bowling at the age of 16 when he could drive himself to the bowling alley and that followed him through his adult life where he played in numerous leagues and won multiple trophies (and a couple of prize money pots). As an adult, he was an avid golfer and loved being out on the golf course and driving range. You could always catch him in the backyard with his clubs and wiffle balls practicing his swing.

But what Steve loved most growing up was being in the ROTC during high school. His sophomore year, he earned the rank of Staff Sargeant and started shooting on the rifle team. His junior year, he improved his shooting and moved up to Varsity Rifle, while also making Captain, Phantom Leader. By his Senior year of high school, Steve moved up in rank to Lt. Colonel, Dept. Brigade Commander of the city schools. He was the Top Shooter of the three ROTC schools. He could shoot and score 197 out of 200. He would attend summer camps at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri and became a shooting expert with M1 rifle and .45 caliber pistol. He was offered a scholarship to Wentworth Military Academy for their Rifle team but instead would go on to receive his BS in Business Mgt from Northwest Missouri State College in 1969.

He had a long and successful manufacturing and engineering career in Florida and Texas.  This included a design product for NASA; and assisted in developing a safer process to dispose of medical supplies which earned a US Patent approval.

He loved the Lord and accepted him as his Savior and was baptized. He became a deacon in the church. In Florida, Steve was a high school youth leader for several years at Parkway Christian Church and the designated bus driver for all church activities including the Boy Scout Troop.

Steve is survived by his four children, Kendra Adams (David Adams) of St. Joseph, MO; Ron Sherard of Plano, TX; Corinne Atchison (Brant) of Denton, TX; Brandon Sherard of Keller, TX; as well as Sister and Brother-in-law Jan Edwards (Steve) of St. Joseph, MO; along with his nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by both of his parents Hal Elza Sherard and Joan Louise (Beattie) Sherard.

A graveside service for family and friends will be held at the Roselawn Memorial Park in Denton on Friday, February 7, at 2:00pm. All flowers and expressions of sympathy may be sent to Mulkey-Bowles-Montgomery Funeral Home in Denton, TX.