Paul Dorsey Sherman
Paul Dorsey Sherman, Sr., 88, formerly of Bedford, passed away Sunday, December 31, 2023, atStonebridge Retirement Community in Skillman, NJ. Born March 1, 1935, in Elkins, WV, hewas the son of the late Paul E. Sherman and Mildred Sherman.
Paul was a standout athlete, excelling in basketball, football, and track at Elkins High School. Hewas well known for propelling Elkins to the West Virginia state basketball championship gameas a freshman in 1950. Paul made a free throw with 26 seconds left in a quarterfinal game todefeat the defending state champions and pave the way for Elkins to reach the finals. He waslater inducted into the Randolph County (West Virginia) Secondary Schools Athletic Hall ofFame.
A graduate of Davis and Elkins College, where he played basketball, and the University ofVirginia, Paul was a retired coach, teacher, and principal with more than 30 years of dedicatedservice to Bedford County Public Schools. He played a significant role in the establishment ofLiberty High School in Bedford and became the school’s first head basketball coach.
Paul was also a veteran, who served for two years as a soldier in the Army Signal Corps.
He was a member of Main Street United Methodist Church in Bedford and gave back to thecommunity by volunteering as a youth sports coach and official for several years.
In retirement, Paul’s favorite pastime was spending time with his late wife of 51 years, MargaretF. Sherman. Paul and Margaret enjoyed traveling around the world and visiting with theirchildren and grandchildren. Paul also stayed busy working as an assistant in the funeral servicebusiness and teaching driver’s training for Bedford County Public Schools.
In addition to his wife and parents, Paulwas preceded in death by a sister, Aletha ShermanGardner.
He is survived by a son, Colonel (Retired) Paul D. "Chip" Sherman, Jr., and his wife, Lourdes, of Lorton, VA; a daughter, Margaret Sherman "Nicki" Draper, of Princeton, NJ; a granddaughter, Sarah Jo Draper, and grandsons, Westley Draper, Ruben Pagan-Ramos, and Ricardo Pagan-Ramos; as well as several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, please consider The American Heart Association, 4217 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, VA 23060;The American Cancer Society, PO Box 4110, Glen Allen, VA 23058; or a charity of your choice.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11am Saturday, January 13, 2024, at Main Street United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Dawn Compton officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday, January 12, 2024, from 5:00 until 8:00 pm at Updike Funeral Home, Bedford.
Arrangements by Updike Funeral Home, Bedford (540) 586-3304.
