Thomas Jefferson Sherman, III "Jeff" passed away at his home on Saturday, November 21, 2015.
He is survived by his wife, Gwendolyn Brown Sherman; his son, Thomas Jefferson Sherman, IV "Tom"; his daughter, Gwendolyn Sharon Sherman Floore (Gene); a granddaughter, Alexandria Sherman; and a brother, Walter Sherman (Wanda). He was predeceased by his son, Walter Colquitt Sherman, III, who died April 21, 1991; his mother, Carolyn Josephine Barrett; his father, Thomas Jefferson Sherman, II; and his sister, Carolyn Jo Sherman Larson. He was the grandson of WC Sherman, a pioneer of Bay County and Anna Katherine Woolfolk.
Jeff was a 1956 graduate of Bay High School. He earned a Mechanical Engineering Degree and an Industrial Engineering Degree from the University of Florida in 1962 and a Master of Science in Engineering (Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering) from the University of Michigan in 1973.
Upon graduation from the University of Florida, Jeff went to work for NAVSEA in Washington, DC. During this time, he distinguished himself in designing combatant ships and crafts for Vietnam. In 1968, he was instrumental in the development of SHADOWGRAPH and its deployment into the fleet for which he was commended by the Naval Forces Vietnam Commander.
In 1971, he moved into the private sector where he constructed and managed a shipyard which designed and built steel hull vessels. Other businesses include: Harby Marina, WSCM Radio, Sherman Shipyard, Tug Services, Inc., and the development of Bay Marina Company.
In 1984, Jeff continued his civil service career with NCSC until his retirement in 2013. During this time, he was instrumental in moving the 13 combat systems from trials to commissioning for which he received a letter of recognition from Admiral Williams.
Jeff loved water sports: skiing, spear fishing, diving, scalloping, boating, and gheenoeing, but he especially liked boat racing. He designed and built high performance outboard motors and boats, and redesigned the fastest racing boats for which he won many national races. Hundreds of people, including the board members of Johnson & Evinrude and the presidents and CEO's of numerous boat companies, will remember him fondly and will miss him greatly for his contributions to the world of boat racing.
Jeff loved his church community at Central Baptist Church where he was an usher and deacon and was involved in providing and maintaining buses for the bus ministry. He was also very involved in Panama City Christian School's Booster Club and providing financial aid for students.
Jeff had a great sense of humor, loved to laugh, and was deeply devoted to his family.
Graveside services will be held on Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Greenwood Cemetery with Dr. Bruce Barton and Rev. John Barton officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. prior to the service. Active pallbearers will be fellow deacons, Dan Jackson, Lee Robb, Ron Coulter, Roland Brewton and Matt Moore.