J. E. "Jes" Sherman

J. E. "Jes" Sherman

J.E. “Jes” Sherman, 79, was called by our Lord to his heavenly home on Thursday, September 15, 2016.  He passed into eternity at his beloved home on Blanch Road in China, where he resided with his loving “bride” of 55 years, Sandra Kiker Sherman.

He began his blessed life on December 10, 1936, being born to Vallie Mae Clark Sherman and Ervin Sherman. He was preceded in death by his parents and his two younger brothers, Dalton and Keith Sherman, whom he loved very much. He lived in his hometown his entire life, where he enjoyed every aspect of “country life” to its fullest. He loved hunting, shrimping in the Gulf waters of Southeast Texas, and fishing in the canals of the South China Marsh.

J.E. attended China High School where he was the salutatorian of his graduating class of 1955. He served as class president, FFA chapter president, and lettered in all sports. He received many all-tournament awards in basketball and was selected to play in the area East-West Basketball game in 1955. He was awarded the China High School Athletic Award his senior year. Many of the close friendships from that time of his life continue today. He attended Lamar Tech (now Lamar University), where he obtained a BBA in general Business in 1965.  He was a founding member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity on that campus. He served in all elected positions including president of the chapter. He was also selected to serve on the Inter-Fraternity Council and attended the 26th National Conclave in Washington DC in 1959. After graduating, J.E. continued to serve as a chapter counselor and served on their housing board. He was a member of the Society for the Advancement of Management and Lamar Tech’s Alumni Association.

J.E. began working for Jefferson County Road and Bridge, Precinct #1 as a part-time summer employee in 1956 and retired after 31 years as the assistant to the commissioner on December 31, 1990. During his time with the county, he was a member the Jefferson County Credit Union board. He was elected to the board of directors for 18 years and served as its president for 12 years. He was the Democratic nominee for county commissioner in 1994.  J.E. was also a member of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO Local 0997.

During different periods of his life, J.E. was always involved in other “activities” after hours. He farmed rice, soybeans, and/or crawfish.   He and his partner, Richard LeBlanc, formed one of the first crawfish farms in the county.  He raised registered Simmental cattle for many years.  After retiring from the county, J.E. worked as the manager of Devers Rice and Canal Company for 11 years.  Upon retirement from this second career, he continued his lifelong passion of breeding and raising commercial market cattle. He gained much pleasure from those 55 years with his cows and was a member of the state and local chapter of Independent Cattle Association. He and Sandra owned and operated Diamond S Ranch and Enterprises for over 40 years.

J.E. was a member of the YMBL for 44 years. He forged wonderful friendships with the members, many of which continue to this day. He served on various committees, including personnel and poultry. He served as Chairman of the Poultry Division for 5 years, chaired the YMBL Rodeo committee, and served several years as the Fairground Improvement Committee Chairman. He was elected Treasurer and Third Vice President of the club. He was elected to the Key Men’s Club and served as a lifelong member. 

J.E. loved his small town community and was always proud to be a “country boy” from the little town of China, Texas. He was a charter member of the West Jefferson County Lions Club, serving as their treasurer. He also helped start the China Volunteer Fire Department, serving for many years as Secretary/Treasurer. 

J.E. and Sandra began their married life in China and immediately joined China Methodist Church, where he served on the administrative board as one of the five trustees, a position held until the end of his life. He also served as treasurer for the church for 16 years and Finance Chairman for over 30 years. J.E. was a founding member of the China Methodist Men’s Club, where he served as treasurer.

J.E. was the ultimate “family” man.  They were the center of his heart and soul. The love of his life, his “bride” of 55 years, Sandra Kiker Sherman, was never very far from his side. His precious daughters Debbie (Debra Denise Sherman Thornton) and Shelle (Jessica Mishelle Sherman Samaha) were the pride and joy of his life. He was involved in every aspect of their lives, attending every activity and/or sporting event they were participating in, always helping with their many 4-H projects, and supporting any other endeavor they wanted to try. Sons-in-law, Jerry Thornton and Jimmy Samaha, quickly became part of his very large heart. He was so grateful that both families chose to live close to him in China. He only thought his heart was full, but found there was far more room there when his two grandsons, Austin and Wyatt Samaha, were born. He was consumed with love for them and considered them “Angel Baby Boys” sent straight from Heaven.  He treasured every moment he had with them.  He also cared very deeply for his extended family. He loved and was so proud of his many nieces and nephews.

A gathering of Mr. Sherman’s family and friends will be from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Sunday, September 18, 2016, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, September 19, 2016, at China United Methodist Church, 205 West Washington Avenue, China. His interment will follow at China Cemetery on Benoit Avenue in China. A community lunch fellowship at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Hall in China will follow interment.

Memorial contributions may be made to Old China School Reunion Memorial Scholarship Fund, Box 357, China, Texas  77613.  This scholarship is awarded annually to a deserving Hardin-Jefferson ISD student.