Stephen Matthew Sherrill

Stephen Matthew Sherrill, a hotelier, resort developer, and lifelong San Marino resident who was active in Republican national politics, died peacefully on May 7 at MonteCedro Retirement Community after a brief decline. He was 93.

A man of exuberance and many passions, including thoroughbred horse racing, roulette wheels, old movies, Chuck Barris custom-designed cars, and fireworks displays - he was a licensed pyro-technician for 47 years - Mr. Sherrill also had a gift for making friends and keeping them. His love of cool jazz and "straight ahead sounds" became his calling in later years when he introduced younger family members to the Los Angeles jazz scene by taking them to clubs such as the great, now shuttered Charlie O's in Van Nuys and sharing his old vinyl records. At 89, he launched a private e-newsletter, The Jazz Machine, offering his favorite tunes to a list of 200 avid subscribers.

Mr. Sherrill graduated from South Pasadena/San Marino High School in 1949 and Cornell University School of Hotel Management in 1954 where he was a member of the Zeta Psi Fraternity. He was stationed in France with the U.S. Air Force from 1955-1957. His inclusive, gregarious nature led him to a job as a social host at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel when he was still in college, acquiring skills that served him through-out his life. After a 20-year career in sales and marketing strategy for luxury and convention hotels in Europe, Hawaii and California, he worked as a real estate broker, advisor to resort developments, and pyrotechnic expert and event-planner with White House Advance Operations for presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush.

As the colorful patriarch of a large fanbase of family, friends, and assorted followers, he was a supreme organizer of lively gatherings at the Santa Anita Racetrack and the Rose Parade. After dinner at his home - he loved to cook - a roulette wheel or slot machine was brought out for kicks. When he visited you, his arrival and departure were announced by a police siren that he'd had installed in his car, a gag that, like Steve himself, never got old.

He was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Marilyn Patton Sherrill. Survivors include two daughters, Theresa Eason of Park City, Utah, and Leslee Sherrill (Stephen Talt) of San Marino; five grandchildren, Brantley Eason (Tristin), Trent Eason, Glover Talt, Peyton Talt, and Thayer Talt and three great-grandchildren, Patton Eason, Gwen Eason, and Charlotte Eason. A private burial was held this week. A memorial service with jazz and fireworks is as yet unscheduled.