Richard 'Dick' McCoy Sherrill, 71

Richard "Dick" McCoy Sherrill, 71, "joined our Lord" on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2005, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

He was born in Chattanooga, Tenn., on Aug. 8, 1934, to George and Cecil Sherrill. He was raised in Chattanooga, where he attended public schools through the eighth grade. He attended a technical school in Miami, and during his time in the Air Force received his General Equivalency Diploma (GED).

He married Peregrina "Perry" Fisher on Oct. 22, 1955, in Havre. This last October they celebrated their 50-year anniversary.

Dick served in the Air Force from January 1952 through 1956 with his most significant duty assignment in Havre. Following his time in the Air Force, he was employed by the U.S. Postal Service from 1961 through disability retirement in 1985. In 1989, Dick started a video production business and worked with that until 1991.

Dick spent many years dedicated to playing and supporting softball. 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. Dick co-founded the Havre Softball Association in 1962 along with six other softball enthusiasts in the City of Havre. He played fast-pitch softball in Havre from 1962 until his retirement from the game in 1979.

In total, he played in 23 Montana State Softball Tournaments and played on three Montana State Championship softball teams, in 1958-59 with the Havre Highlanders and in 1975 with the Master Sports softball team. He played two regional softball tournaments in 1958 and 1975.

Dick was co-founder of the Havre International Softball Tournament in 1965. He played in 11 international softball tournaments, and was named to the International All-Star team four times. The Havre International Softball Committee dedicated the 16th annual Havre International Tournament to Dick Sherrill and Bob Evans, another co-founder. In 1988 Dick was selected to the Montana State Softball Hall of Fame in Lewistown. He served on the Havre Softball Association board of directors from 1962 through 1970, as well as the Havre International board of directors from 1965 to 1975.

Dick coached Little League Baseball, Babe Ruth Baseball, and also served on the Babe Ruth Board of Directors.

Dick is survived by his wife, Perry Sherrill, of Kalispell; one brother, Gene Sherrill, of Chattanooga; his children, Mike Sherrill and wife, Becky, of Havre, Eva Dorcheus and husband, Richard, of Havre, and Jeff Sherrill and wife, Sandy, of Kalispell; his grandchildren, Nathan Dorcheus and wife, Kristi, of Kalispell, Julie Garza and husband, Skip, of Great Falls, Chris Dorcheus and wife, Carrie, of Meldonhall, England, Teri Sherrill and fianc/, Jordan Anderson, of Helena, Holly Dorcheus and Joe Saddler of Havre, Hannah Sherrill of Kalispell, and Cody Sherrill of Kalispell; his great-grandchildren, Masie Dorcheus and Taylor Dorcheus of Meldonhall, England, and Javien Dorcheus-Saddler of Havre. He also leaves behind Dixie, his beloved dachshund.

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

At Dick's request, a private family service will be held in Havre.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent in the name of Richard "Dick" Sherrill to Gift of Life, c/o Mike Sherrill, 1620 Juniper, Havre, MT 59501.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.