David Burrell McSherry

David Burrell McSherry, 98, passed away on May 14, 2025 at the home of his loving daughter in Vallejo, CA.
David was born on November 17, 1926 in Bear Gap, PA, and was the second son of Jack L. McSherry and his wife Ivy (Burrell) McSherry. As a child, he lived in both Sunnyside and Tharptown PA. His childhood was wonderful and happy.
He graduated Coal Township High School in 1944. In July 1944, David attended the U.S. Naval Training Station in Bainbridge, Maryland. His marks were the highest in the class of 80 men.
David served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, as did both his brothers and his father. He served as Quartermaster/Navigator on the USS Shamrock Bay and traveled to North Africa. Later in the war, he was a Navigator on an amphibious flying boat/patrol bomber. He was discharged in June 1946.
At the insistence of his mother, he attended Indiana Technical College and earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.
He married Jacqueline Crabtree in 1950 and had three children. After the death of his wife Jacqueline in 1984, he married Elaine Thoman, who passed away in 2003.
David worked as a Field Engineer in Information Systems at IBM in Baltimore MD, Poughkeepsie NY and Boulder CO. He retired from IBM after 25 years and lived in Howard CO, then Ajo AZ, and for the last 7 years in Vallejo, CA. He was a member of Grace Baptist Church of Vallejo.
Besides his abiding faith, David is remembered for his love of geology, collecting many types of rare rocks, minerals and fossils. He would freely share his knowledge in children's classrooms and show exhibits. He also loved to travel and was a birdwatcher. David explored the mountains and prairies of Colorado, the desert land of the Southwest, and often drove on cross-country road trips. At age 94, David became an honorary Eagle Scout.
David is survived by his children Barbara McSherry Chappell of Vallejo CA, David Lee (December) McSherry of Archer FL, Thomas Scott McSherry of Boulder CO, and his brother Jack Lawrence (Irmgard) McSherry Jr. of Conestoga PA.
Grandsons David (Tatiana) McSherry, Luke (Sarah) McSherry, great grandson Parker McSherry, great granddaughters Simon McSherry and Dylan McSherry, step-son Rick (Nancy) Thoman of Fort Myers FL, step-granddaughters Kara (Abel) West and Krista (Ryan) Meyers, step-grandsons Michael and Mark Thoman of Naples, FL, and many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Bill (Helen) McSherry, wife Jacqueline McSherry, step-son Ray Thoman, daughter-in-law Carol McSherry, son-in-law David Chappell, and wife Elaine McSherry.
Graveside services with military honors will be held at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, California on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at 11:30 a.m., the public is welcome.
Please visit the online tribute at www.passalacquafuneralchapel.com