Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Sherman Horton Obituary
Sherman was born in Kansas City, Mo., on Feb. 19, 1931, to Sherman and Elizabeth (Martin) Horton.
He graduated from Kemper Military Academy in 1949 and from Dartmouth College in 1953. After college, he joined the Navy, where he rose to the rank of lieutenant and served on a tanker delivering aviation fuel to Midway Island. After he was honorably discharged in 1955, Sherman attended Harvard Law School on the G.I. Bill, graduating in 1958.
In 1958, he married Judith Ann Preston and they settled in Merrimack and later Nashua. Sherman joined the law firm of Sullivan and Gregg in Nashua, where he enjoyed a long and distinguished career working with clients large and small throughout the state of New Hampshire. He was very active in the community. Sherman served as a Nashua alderman, president of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashua, and worked with the Nashua YMCA and many statewide YMCA programs, such as Youth-In-Government.
In 1990, Sherman was appointed to the New Hampshire Supreme Court by then-governor Judd Gregg. Having come directly from private law practice, Sherman brought a fresh perspective to the court where he found the role intellectually stimulating and satisfying.
Sherman retired from the court in 2000 to his home on Emerald Lake in Hillsboro, where he enjoyed fishing, family visits, and puffing away on his trademark cigar.
This year, Sherman enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving with family, including all of his children and grandchildren. His health, however, had been in decline after several years of dialysis treatments. He entered hospice care Dec. 1 and passed away peacefully two days later.
Sherman will be remembered for his classic New England style, great sense of humor, fairness, storytelling skill, wise counsel and lingering cigar odor.
Sherman was predeceased in 2007 by his wife, Judy. He is survived by three sons: Sherman D. Horton III and wife, Lynn, of Chelmsford, Mass., Andrew P. Horton of Hillsboro, and Thomas P. Horton and wife, Amy, of Seattle; daughter Sally F. Horton of Gypsum, Colo.; four grandchildren: Bradford, Walker, Hayley and Nathaniel; brother Pharis Horton and wife, Carolyn, of Madison, Wis.; sister-in-law Nancy Johnson of Hanover; and four nieces and two nephews. He was also predeceased by his brother-in-law William R. Johnson.
No public service is planned at this time.
Memorial donations may be made to the Concord Regional Visiting Nurse Association, 30 Pillsbury St., Concord 03301.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Sherman Horton
Brooks Payne Thornhill
September 13, 2024
I knew Sherman up to the age of about 8. You read that right. He lived on Swart Terrace by Greeley Park in Nashua where I grew up. Like any kid in the late 80´s and early 90´s, I was all over the neighborhood riding my bike and playing. I knew many of the neighbors well, but I knew this man best.
Really whenever I wanted I´d walk in his house like he was family and he was always so happy to see me. It was mutual. He´d put on cartoons for me and always offer me what seemed like the best dried apricots in the world. To this day I always keep some and always have because of him.
Also the feint smell of cigar smoke is nostalgic, even though I´ll have a cigar very rarely. Maybe once or twice every few years to celebrate or just for old times sake. The reason I decided to look for this and write this is because I want everyone to know what a kind man he was to just a kid in the neighborhood, when there was no audience. I left the neighborhood unfortunately when my parents divorced and he was always the one I missed most.
The last time I ever saw him, was when I was staying with my mother (still at Swart Terrace) and he´d always ask how school was going. I think it was 1994. We talked about subtractions specifically and a boy that day that threw his shoe in class... ha He pointed at a few things on his shelf in the living room next to the kitchen, while I was sitting on his couch and then blocked some of them and asked how many left?
Anyway, what a special man and it pains me that I never knew him as an adult. I´ve always tried to treat people as kind as he treated me in those crucial years, when my home life was challenging at times.
Hope to see you again Sherman, who knows. My heart is with his family forever.
Doug Frye
December 12, 2014
Andrew, We are sorry for you loss and will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. From your friends Doug, Leah, Michael and Emma.
marcy melcher
December 10, 2014
The end of an era! What an interesting character your father was. It was always fun to see Bill mimic him - cigar and all. Hope you kids are all doing OK. Everyone who knew Sherm will miss his finer points. Best regards - Marcy
Dede Crocker
December 9, 2014
Andrew, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Thinking of you.
Martha Engeman
December 8, 2014
Mike, Andrew, Sally and Tom, I've been thinking a lot about you all and remembering all of the Horton/Clough family events on Swart Terrace and in Hollis. Your Dad lived a long and full life and will be missed. Know that you are all in my thoughts and that I send you all the best.
Gary & Nancy Stewart
December 7, 2014
Our heartfelt sympathies to you, Andrew, and to your whole family. How we've enjoyed our Sandwich Depot breakfast visits over the years with you two, and how good you've been to keep him able. His exhale of laughter, after a held breath in anticipation of a punch line, with an appreciative twinkle in his eye, just made us all feel so good about ourselves. We're going to miss him.
Mark and Debbei Curtiss
December 7, 2014
Thinking of you all during this difficult time.
Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results
Make a Donation
in Sherman Horton's name
Memorial Events
for Sherman Horton
How to support Sherman's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Sherman Horton's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
