Sherman Smith

October 14, 1955 — April 11, 2024

Sherman Smith

Service Details

James Sherman (Sherman) Smith, 68, of Des Moines, Iowa, died April 11, 2024, from natural causes.

Mr. Smith was born on October 14, 1955, in Sioux City, Iowa, the son of the late Harry H. and Anne I. Smith of Sioux City. He attended Blessed Sacrament School and graduated from Bishop Heelan High School in 1973. During high school, Mr. Smith also attended and graduated from the Sioux City Barber College, owned and operated by his father. Following high school, Mr. Smith attended Briar Cliff University in Sioux City before deciding that he wanted to pursue a career as a barber.

Sherman worked various jobs in Sioux City before moving to Colfax, Iowa in the early 1980s where he owned and operated a barber shop. After operating his own shop in the 1980s, for several years in the early to mid-1990s, Sherman cut hair at the Roosevelt Barber Shop in Des Moines. Following his stint at the Roosevelt Barber Shop, Sherman worked a variety of jobs in central Iowa including for Hy-Vee, Casey’s, and EZ Money, where he developed many friendships. Despite turning to other work after barbering, Sherman kept his license and was a member of the Barbers Union. He will be remembered by family and friends as an excellent barber and conversationalist.

Sherman was briefly married, but the marriage ended in divorce without any children. However, Sherman had numerous nieces and nephews with whom he stayed in touch with and to whom he attempted to impart his wisdom and taste in music. Sherman looked forward to visits from each of them.

At the age of twenty-three, Sherman entered into the Alcoholics Anonymous program. After entering the program, Sherman was a success story – never having another drink. His family was immensely proud of his commitment to the program and his efforts to stay sober.

Later in life, after he retired, Sherman read voraciously and followed politics. He was a life-long Democrat, who was able to benefit from social programs enacted by Democratic Presidents. Sherman also continued to listen to music and go to record shows. Sherman once commented that the soundtrack of his life would include – Todd Rundgren’s Something/Anything (1972), Alice Cooper’s Billion Dollar Babies (1973), Mott the Hoople’s Golden Age of Rock and Roll (1974), Shades of Ian Hunter (1979), and Utopia, self-titled (1982).

Sherman is survived by his nieces and nephews, Nancy Marie Mandel and her son, Max, of Newton Centre, Mass.; Jennifer S. Ramella and her husband, Jeff, along with their children Alexandra, Ava, and Alaina of Dunn Loring, Virginia; Michaela Smith-Bogzevitz and her husband Chris, and their two sons, Henry and Edwin, of Oak Park, Illinois; Harry A. Smith of Chicago; Jay M. Smith and his wife, Alissa, and their sons, Jackson, Carter, and Harry of West Des Moines; Adam H. Smith of Sioux City and his daughter, Evelyn, of Iowa City; and Maddy, Lucien, and Tita Smith of Armidale, Australia. Sherman is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Dr. Nancy Barta-Smith of Grove City, Pennsylvania, and Constance Richardson Smith of Sioux City.

Sherman was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers, Dr. Harry F. Smith, and MacDonald Smith.

Pursuant to Sherman’s wishes, there will not be a formal service. The family will come together at a later date to celebrate his life. The family, however, would like to thank Sherman’s friends, who he relied upon and who helped the family care for him, especially his good friends, Chris and Kit, who, amongst other tasks, ran countless errands for him.

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