Lynn M. Sherrill

Lynn M. Sherrill DENVER CITY-Lynn Maurice Sherrill passed away on June 29, 2013, with his family, longtime friends, and dedicated caregivers near him in Denver City, Texas, where he had lived since 1965. He was 78 years old when he suffered a debilitating embolic stroke on June 19. Lynn was born on Jan. 12, 1935, in Indianola, Okla., near the city of McAlester. His fondest childhood tales involved his pony. He even rode it around and around his house some evenings until, when about to fall asleep, he would be scooped off his pony and into bed by his parents. He graduated from McAlester High in 1953 and was the third baseman for its state champion's baseball team. He attributed that championship to the tough play learned during his team's many scrimmages with inmates on the grounds of the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester. Lynn played baseball at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, where he earned a B.S. in education ('59) and a B.S. in pharmacy ('61) There he met and married Trisha Russell, his wife of 56 years. They married in Atlus, Okla., on Jan. 19, 1957. While Lynn always was a bit uneasy when the story of their courtship was told, he never denied that he cried after Trisha declined his first marriage proposal on while on their second date. Lynn and Trisha moved several times in Oklahoma and Texas, considering hometowns and pharmacy apprenticeships. As an apprentice in Andrews, Texas, he learned of their first chance to buy a pharmacy and moved to Denver City to open Lynn's Pharmacy, as Your Friendly Pharmacy, in 1965. For the next twenty years, he thrived in his work and life in Denver City as a pharmacist, self-proclaimed drugstore cowboy, amateur veterinarian, rodeo and livestock show enthusiast, and youth baseball volunteer. Just like when he was a boy and a young man, Lynn was happiest with friends, either on horseback during cattle drive and team steer roping round-robins, or in the grandstands watching a baseball game. After doctors moved away from Denver City in the early 1980s, Lynn closed the pharmacy and joined ARCO Oil & Gas in 1982. He retired from ARCO in 1992 and returned as a part-time druggist, working for friends who owned pharmacies in the Texas towns of Denver City, Seminole, Andrews, Brownfield, and Morton. The new friendships he made in those towns kept him vital through his last days. In 2012, Lynn was cited by the Texas Board of Pharmacy for 50 years of service and contribution to the profession of pharmacy. Lynn was preceded in death by his parents, Otis Henry and Nellie D. Hamilton Sherrill, last of Wichita Falls; his two older sisters, Eva Jean Getts and Evalynn Pete Coffee; and his son-in-law, Ricky Lee Freeze. Lynn is survived by his wife, Trisha Ann Russell Sherrill of Denver City; and three children: Dena Kae Freeze of Midland, Russell Lynn and his wife, Lisa Anouilh Sherrill, of Houston, and Richard Maurice Sherrill of Houston. He is survived by three adult grandchildren: Amber Freeze Carter and her husband, Ryan, of Wichita, Kan., Candice Freeze Wood and her husband, Josh, of Odessa, and Trisha Freeze of Spring. He also is survived by four grandsons and three great-grandchildren. The family offers their most sincere appreciation for Lynn's medical and health caregivers, centered around Denver City and Lubbock. Those who assisted tirelessly in his recovery from Guillain-Barre Syndrome gave the family six more good years with him. Those who compassionately cared for Lynn after his stroke permitted him to pass with dignity and mercy. Friends may remember Lynn and visit with the family from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, July 1, in the Ratliff Funeral Home Chapel, located at 303 E. Broadway in Denver City. At his request, a graveside service will be attended only by immediate family at his final resting place near the family farm in Brenham, Texas. Instead of flowers to honor his memory, Lynn would have appreciated a gift or donation to the: Yoakum County Hospital Auxiliary (the Pink Ladies); 400 N. Mustang Drive; Denver City, TX, 79323.