Van Doye Sherrill

Van Doye Sherrill, a distinguished engineer, innovative executive, and dedicated civic leader, died quietly in his sleep on November 12, 2025, at the age of 85 in Marietta, Georgia after a brief illness.

Born March 16, 1940, in Johnston County, North Carolina, he was the only child of the late Jesse Abner Sherrill and Alice Pearl Sherrill née Coats. Van earned a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University, where he was designated "A Knight of St. Patrick." He also held an MBA in Finance from Drexel University (1968).

Mr. Sherrill's professional life was marked by invention and leadership. He worked as a Research Engineer for DuPont and as Chief Engineer at Venango Engineering, he received a patent for a high-speed textile processing machine. It was this engineering work that brought him to Toccoa, Ga in 1969 where he raised a family until they moved to Kernersville, NC in 1987. During his tenure at Coats & Clark Inc., he was recognized as "Top Salesman in the World." He later served as President and CEO of Oertli USA. In 2014, he was inducted into NCSU's Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering Hall of Fame. He also served as a "Visiting Professional" at The Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, inventing and donating laboratory research machines.

A tireless volunteer, Mr. Sherrill was active in Rotary and Toastmasters International. He was also a Certified Lay Speaker for the Methodist Church for approximately 25 years.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Sherrill, née Wood who resides in Marietta, Georgia. He is also survived by sons Geoffrey and Jonathan, daughter-in-law Caroline, and grandchildren Hannah, Julia, and Jesse, all of Atlanta, GA.

Per his request, there will be no formal funeral ceremony. Interment will be at the Main Street UMC Columbarium in Kernersville, NC. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Rotary International at rotary.org.