Richard Alva Sherrell of Hermiston passed away in Richland, Wash. on Feb. 8, 2023 at the age of 88.
He was born on Nov. 17, 1934 in Arlington to Alva and Gladys Steiger Sherrell.
Rich was raised in Arlington, where he was a three-sport athlete. He played in the second East West Shrine game in 1953 and was an honoree captain years later. At one time, he lead the state for rushing yards in high school football. He spent his summers harvesting for local farmers and waterskiing on the Columbia River. He even tried a bucking horse once during the Arlington Rodeo. He graduated from Arlington High School in the class of 1953. After high school he attended Eastern Oregon College (currently Eastern Oregon University), where he played football, basketball and baseball.
Rich served in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Camp Irwin in Barstow, Calif. for two years. While in the Army, he played for their traveling baseball team.
After his honorable discharge, Rich began his career at the family business, Sherrell Chevrolet in Arlington. He also owned and operated his own Chevrolet store in Lincoln City for five years. When the dams were built on the Columbia River, the family business was relocated from Arlington to Hermiston. Rich became the second generation owner of Sherrell Chevrolet (established in 1945), where he worked until the day he retired.
Rich enjoyed playing golf, snow skiing and raising cattle and sheep. He was a member of the Elks Lodge and the Hermiston Linebackers Club and fed the Hermiston football team at their home before the Hermiston/Pendleton game for many years. He served on the Hermiston School Board for 20 years, won the Hermiston Business of the Year in 2000, and served on the regional board for General Motors. He was the Eastern Oregon head swimming official for multiple years and won the James M. Richardson Award in 1981 for Oregon swimming official.
Rich married his high school sweetheart, Donna Krebs in December 1956.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Donna; daughters, Kim (Glen) Rutherford of Beaverton and Kari (Dave) Christiansen of Hermiston: grandsons, Kyle and Ryan Rutherford, and Tyler, Carter and Brady Christiansen; three great grandchildren; brother, Phil Sherrell of Hermiston; niece, Allison (Vern) Lathrop; and many close friends and extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Scott Rutherford; and a nephew, Steve Sherrell.
A private family celebration of life will be held at a later time.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Greater Hermiston Community Foundation, Hermiston Pet Rescue, or to a cause close to your heart.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
