Dan Sheridan Ammerman

DAN SHERIDAN AMMERMAN, died peacefully and went to be with his Lord and Savior, on Monday, May 11, 2009, surrounded by his wife of 55 years, and his son and daughter. Dan was born to Harry Eugene Ammerman and Helen Morrow Ammerman, on June 10, 1932, in Tyrone, Pennsylvania. Dan leaves behind his beloved wife, Mary Graca Ammerman; son, Mark Ammerman and his wife Lisa; daughter, Terri Ammerman; grandchildren, Lauren Ammerman, Meredith Ammerman, Nathan Ammerman, Trace Saylor, and Sheridan Henson and her husband Chris; brother, Robert Ammerman; sister, Janis Ammerman; and many nieces and nephews. Joining the Army at 15, Dan fought in the Korean War, and saw combat that ultimately won him a battlefield commission to Second Lieutenant. Leaving active duty in 1951, he completed his military career in the army reserves. He was proud of his country, of his time serving, and was a prominent member of the team who worked to bring the Korean War Veterans Monument to Austin, Texas. He was also instrumental in having Highway 6 named the Texas Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. Dan was well-known and loved in Houston because of his broadcast career as a news anchorman with Dave Ward on ABC, Channel 13, in the early 70's. After leaving Channel 13, he became an entrepreneur and started a business out of his home that now has a client base that reaches out to 43 different countries. The Ammerman Experience is a company that teaches professionals how to handle television interviews and crisis situations. The commercial voice of many major corporations, Dan was recognized from 1972 1975 as the voice of Exxon. He was also an actor who appeared in several major movies and in the well-known television show, "Dallas." He is best known for the role of the doctor who pulled the bullet out of JR Ewing. In his movie career, he worked with major actors such as Burt Lancaster, Farah Fawcett, Sally Field, and Valerie Bertinelli. A published author at the age of 70, Dan wrote "My Mother's Secret," a novel that was inspired because he believed "that sex, violence and swearing weren't necessary to make a good book." During a book signing in his home town of Altoona, Pennsylvania, he said, "I am excited and having a ball. A man my age should not be allowed to have this much fun." Although Dan had a stellar career, he will be most remembered for his love of his Lord and of his family. Dan and his wife, Mary, were members of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, and part of the team who helped build their church building. Dan also led choir when at Notre Dame Catholic Church, and spent many hours volunteering his time to teach lectors to read the scripture with passion and awe. He and his wife Mary are now members of First United Methodist Church of Missouri City. Although he worked hard, Dan loved his horses and his golf. He raised Arabian horses and for years would leave the house at 6:00 in the morning to go feed the horses before going to work. He and his wife Mary, were avid golfers and are long time members of Sugar Creek Country Club. Dan touched many lives in his 76 years. He was a light and an encourager and did everything with class. He never ran out of energy or passion for the things he loved. He was still enjoying outings with his family, playing golf, and riding his horses in his later years until he was struck with Alzheimer's three years ago. He will be missed deeply by his family, his staff, and by everyone who crossed his path. Friends are invited to visitation with the family from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Wednesday, May 13, 2009, at The Settegast-Kopf Co. @ Sugar Creek, 15015 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, with a Vigil Service beginning at 6:00 PM, officiated by the Rev. Joseph K. Kalladan, Pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Funeral Services will be held at 2:30 PM, on Thursday, May 14, 2009, at The First United Methodist Church Missouri City, with Dr. Lynne Settlemyre, officiating. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, at www.alz.org.