Miller "Gary" Sherwood Jr.'s Obituary
Miller Garrod Sherwood Jr. “Gary” a longtime Tri-Cities resident, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 21st at home with his wife Karen and family at his side. Gary was born in Columbus, OH but grew up in Grand Haven, graduating from Grand Haven High School in 1963. Gary completed a degree in Business Administration from Michigan State University.
Gary applied his business degree in a variety of settings including plastic manufacturing, the automotive industry with American Motors, the insurance industry with John Hancock, benefits management with JSJ and home remodeling and construction. He was a skilled builder and innovator, building a home for himself that utilized an advanced material & technique that provided superior insulation results.
At heart he was a creative craftsman and throughout his life made special gifts for those he loved. His stained glass work graced his mother’s mantle and also announced his sister’s new law degree. He built a beautiful Victorian dollhouse for his niece Christine and made many other unique artistic treasures.
He was good if not excellent at almost all athletic endeavors, from swimming and diving in high school, to ping-pong and tennis with family and friends, to skiing and to his true passion, golf. He and his wife Karen were long time members of Spring Lake Country Club and could often be found enjoying time on the links. Just a few years ago he scored a hole-in-one on the difficult 13th hole.
Gary had a special place in his heart for the western part of our country, especially Wyoming and Colorado. He attended Outward Bound after high school, a mountaineering camp and endurance school that challenged him physically and thrilled his adventurous nature. He continued to pursue outdoor adventures including a motorbike ride well above the timberline on the rugged Continental Trail in Colorado and later in life an epic motorcycle trip from Michigan to Key West with friends.
Gary believed in actively supporting his country and local community. He was a proud veteran, serving as a military policeman with the United States Army. He loved marching in the annual Grand Haven Memorial Day Parade showing off his patriotic pride. He also dedicated his time and resources to support a variety of community efforts. He served several years on the Board of Directors for The Little Red House. He helped with the design and building of the original Imagination Station playground at the YMCA in Grand Haven.
Gary deeply loved his family. He was the official Sherwood family videographer. He loved his bother Randy and his sisters Suzy & Nancy. Being an uncle to their children brought him great joy and over the years he could often be found playing with, reading to, wrestling with or otherwise engaging his much-loved nieces and nephews.
In September 2003 Gary married then Karen Baribeau. It was a beautiful, touching, very fun event and a true highlight of Gary’s life. Karen & Gary were surrounded by so many good friends and family members who partied the night away. Gary’s friends teased him throughout the event that he “finally” got married after so many years of the bachelor life. Gary spent the next 19+ years as an extremely caring and devoted husband building a rich full life with Karen.
Gary & Karen fully enjoyed their retirement years traveling to remarkable places and doing amazing things. They embarked on a small boat cruise throughout the islands of the South Pacific. They rode bikes down Mt. Haleakala. They rode ATVs on the beaches of Cabo San Lucas. They spent many Winters on Estero Island in Fort Myers Beach Florida meeting numerous new friends.
While Gary never had children of his own, he and Karen’s son Brent Baribeau & Brent's wife Jennifer developed a close relationship over the years. Gary was family - so when Brent and Jennifer had children in 2011 & 2015 – Gary became “Grandpa Gary” to Evan & Ryan. This was a role Gary loved. Grandpa Gary was able to spend many Christmas mornings with his grandchildren and go on trips to see them including one to Disney World. The boys were always impressed by Grandpa’s unique ability to speak like Donald Duck. Grandpa Gary had his own wood shop in retirement and built a beautiful hobby horse and lockable treasure boxes for the boys.
Gary was a kind, outgoing guy with an easy smile and athletic grace. He loved reading a good book and a glass of Chardonnay. He was a master on the grill. He loved many dogs in his life but probably none more than his beloved Chimu. Gary loved his friends of which he had many. He was always asking what he could do to help them and checking in on how they were doing. As health issues mounted Gary maintained gratitude for those same friends who helped & checked on him along with the caregivers that allowed him to stay in his home.
Despite being born in Columbus and getting his degree from MSU - Gary was an avid supporter of the University of Michigan football team. On Fall Saturdays he could always be found watching and cheering on his beloved Wolverines. Despite health issues, he was thoroughly enjoying this Fall’s undefeated Big Ten Championship season. As Gary would say to the end - GO BLUE! Gary’s was truly a life well lived.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents Miller Garrod Sherwood Sr. and Barbara Parks Sherwood. He is survived by his wife Karen Sue Sherwood, his grandchildren Evan & Ryan Baribeau, his sisters Nancy Sherwood Truitt & Suzanne (Suzy) Sherwood Ageton, his brother David Randolph (Randy) Sherwood, his eight nieces and nephews: Christine Ageton, Brett Garrod Ageton, Benjamin Sherwood Truitt, Alexander Sherwood Truitt, Courtland (Court) Reilly Sherwood, Bryce Randolph Sherwood, Daxton (Dax) David Sherwood, Danika Nina Patricia Sherwood and family Brent & Jennifer Baribeau.
You are invited to a Celebration of Life event for Gary Sherwood which will be held on Saturday, July 8th at the Spring Lake Country Club from 2:30pm-5:30pm. It will be an open house with remarks from family at 3:30pm. You are encouraged to share your favorite stories and memories of Gary. Memorial contributions may be made to causes that Gary supported – The Grand Haven Community Foundation, The Little Red House or Canine Companions For Independence. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at http://www.sytsemafh.com.
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