New Comer Family Obituaries - John William 'Little John' Sherwood 1947 - 2018 - Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions

Obituary photo of John Sherwood, Titusville-FL

In Loving Memory of

John William "Little John" Sherwood

1947 - 2018

In Loving Memory of

John William "Little John" Sherwood

1947 - 2018

Services & Gatherings

Celebration of Life:

Saturday, March 31, 2018 at 12:00pm
Moose Lodge in Merritt Island

John William Sherwood a.k.a. ‘Little John’ passed away Friday March 9th at hospice care in Port St John, Florida. John was a hard worker all of his life. He served in the Army including a tour in Vietnam. He happily worked all of his professional life supporting the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for decades. He is survived by his children Joseph & Jennie Sherwood.

Those who knew this amazing man knew him for being caring, loving, dependable, and humble all while sporting his typical sarcastic sense of humor. For those who knew him and had him touch your life you’re invited to the Moose Lodge in Merritt Island (3150 N. Courtenay Parkway), Florida for a celebration of his life ceremony from 12PM – 2PM local Eastern time on 31 MARCH 2018. This will be a time to share in our memories of how he impacted our lives and a celebration on his move on up into heaven as he sleeps in wait of Jesus’ return.

Services & Gatherings

Celebration of Life:

Saturday, March 31, 2018 at 12:00pm
Moose Lodge in Merritt Island

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Memories & Condolences

I am sorry for your loss, but I hope that your faith sustains you. All of the things that I have read here about John are true based on my experiences with him as well. He was hardworking, funny, humble, intelligent, and kind. Truly a good man.

I'll never forget that time when I was the new kid on the block and he stood up for me. I was so surprised, but that's how he was, he always stood for what he thought was right even when that wasn't an easy thing to do.

RIP

~ Michele Birmele - March 28, 2018

I'm so sorry to hear about John. I can still picture him giving me a sideways glance and his little grin when I would say something sarcastic to him here at work. His office looked like complete chaos had struck with all the stacks of paper everywhere, but I think he could find anything you were asking for. My deepest condolences to the Sherwood family.

~ Kris Herpich - March 26, 2018

Dear Jenny and Joe
I first met your father during his interview for a position at the Kennedy Space Center as an Industrial Hygienist. He told me he was currently painting houses to make ends meet. I noticed that he had paint on his hands and clothes. While he was not exactly qualified for the position, I took a chance on him and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made. He was turned out to be one of the most hard working, smart, capable and absolutely trustworthy individuals I have ever had the good fortune to work with. He always always tried to help out others in any way that he could.

One of the things I will always remember about your Dad is how much he loved you two. He was always pulling out pictures of the two of you and telling me what you were doing in school. He was very proud of both of you. I don't say this lightly, but he was a good man and we were all lucky to have him in our lives.
Sincerely
Steve Brown

~ Steven Brown - March 25, 2018

John has found peace, and the only sorrow is the ones left behind. He lives in the hearts of the many people whose lives he touched and he is missed.
God keep him in Your arms, for he is a good man.

~ Beth Moon - March 24, 2018

John was one of my best friends alot of memories of a lot of great times. I will miss him very much. And some how the world will be a lot less with John not in it. I admired John for being a great father a hard work ethic and a truly honest man. God bless him.

~ Jimmy Fisher - March 24, 2018

H e will be missed by many ,never met a man that was as sweet and at don't think I ever heard him say a bad word about anyone. And he was just so mellow god be with you, love Cheryl

~ cheryl bunger - March 23, 2018

It seems like it was just yesterday when we would be waiting to do a Pad Clearance after the Shuttle has left...what great days those were. My first safing of the MLP I remember John saying that I had a very strong will, so there was nothing to worry about. Whatever that meant, it gave me the strenghth I needed to go in there and do what needed to be done. John was a great peer and mentor to me when I was the new kid on the block as EH31. He was such a hard working man and definitely led by example. He did every task that we would be expected to do. Perhaps that is why he was such a great leader. He was so humble and felt the utmost respect for what we did. RIP my friend, until we meet again!

~ Carmen Nunez - March 22, 2018

How can I write this without sobbing for the man I came to love like a brother over many, many years in Environmental Health? I trained him when he started work, and then was supervised by him when he was promoted. We shared deep truths, soul-wrenching hurts, and witnessed the tragedies of losing good friends and our American heroes in the Shuttle disaster, but we also shared profound affection and admiration for each other and our team, and we had many warm conversations and lots of belly laughs. He was a man of unimpeachable integrity, honor, and compassion. His dedication to the space programs was nothing short of inspiring, and he created ways to integrate program-wide cooperation with multiple support groups that made seemingly impossible challenges simply disappear. His mind was keen and intuitive. His heart was fully apparent on his sleeve.
He had his finger on the pulse of the space program, having supported every phase of every launch of every vehicle we flew. Because he always seemed so focused and serious, my nickname for him was "Sparkle" for his bubbly personality - NOT! That always elicited a grin and a laugh from him. I will always, always love and cherish him, my "Sparkle T. Sherwood." God speed, Sparkle.

~ PJ Miller - March 22, 2018

It's difficult to know where to begin after 13 years at Environmental Health, where much of my work was supervised by John. He always had time to help and advise and to share his great sense of humor. He was so much more than our boss; he was a true friend. He adored his family and was so dedicated to KSC that he got in extra early every day and worked long and often late hours in support of launches and landings. My memories of the shuttle launches have John's guidance and enthusiasm at their core. He shared his annual rant and Christmas message with all of us and included me even after I retired. I got more on the job training from John than anyone else in my career. The most cherished part of any job is having co-workers who give us friendship, support and encouragement; it makes that job meaningful and memorable. John gave all of that to each of us who had the pleasure and honor to work with him.

~ Marian Yeager - March 22, 2018

I remember one time I had flown back to Florida on leave from the military overseas and I visited my dad's house to see him. I knocked on the door. No answer. Rang the door bell a few time. No answer. I was about to leave and while I was turning to walk away I noticed a shadowy figure through the sheer curtains shuffling toward the door. The door opens and a man I don't know says "Hello." I say "Um hello, I am here looking for my dad." He appears to be clearly drunk and hardly able to sustain his own weight. He mumbles back "Oh John. I think he went out for a bit." He turns and walks back toward the game room where I used to play all of my computer games as a kid. I'm suspicious. This guy I don't know who was clearly hammered and smells like he hadn't showered in days welcomes me into my dad's house. I walk inside and the house is Florida hot. I don't mean just hot but no air condition Florida hot. I thought man dad still hadn't fixed the AC. I follow the drunk guy I don't know toward the kitchen and game room. There are empty beer cans everywhere. The game room smelled like body odor and urine where apparently this guy was relieving himself in empty beer cans. I walk back outside and call my sister. "Yo sis, who is this drunk guy living in dad's house?" She tell me "Oh dad has a homeless guy he is friends with living with him. He says it is temporary but it has already been weeks." Phew, I guess. I mean at least I don't feel like I need to contact the police.

Spoke to my dad about him later. My dad described him as 'down on his luck' and he 'needed a place to stay' for a while. This was the kind of thing John did. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." (Matt 5:38-42). My dad always gave of himself to people in need. My dad didn't see this man as an alcoholic who may hurt him or steal his stuff and sell it. He saw someone in need and he let him live with him for months. My dad shared his house, food, water, and the small comfort of life he could share with this homeless man. He looked at this man who clearly was not mentally all there and he called him a friend. I hope everyone in life can have a friend who loves them as much as my dad loved other people. Love you dad. Love who you were. Till we meet again.

~ Joseph Sherwood - March 22, 2018

So sorry to hear of the death of your loved one. Psalm 116:15 tells us our loved one are precious in God's eyes and he longs to resurrect them (John 5:28,29). May these verses comfort you during this difficult time.

~ H T - March 20, 2018

Rest easy John. You made launch days fun.

~ Joe Devlin - March 18, 2018