Jerry Sherrard:
CLASS OF 1986
Rossville High SchoolClass of 1986
Rossville, GA
Western Michigan UniversityClass of 1995
Kalamazoo, MI
Jerry's Story
Life
Lets see. Life Bio. I was born in 1968 in Daytona Beach, FL. Moved all over FL growing up since my mother owned health clubs. Moved to Rossville, GA in 1981 to take care of my dying grandmother. Graduated in 1986 from Rossville High School, went in the military 5 days later. Served onboard submarines until I was involved in a fire onboard the USS Bonefish (SS582). Served on the Decommissioning Crew which was disaterous (worst time of my military career due to people with over inflated ego's). Left there and served in the military for 6 more years earning promotions and medals. Got out of the military, earned my degree in business with an emphasis on public relations and marketing. Worked for the student newspaper as well as local newspaper and radio stations. Got to meet Garth Brooks, Reba McIntire, Brooks and Dunn, and KISS, along with several others. Got married, moved to TN, and took over as the Marketing Director for a bank. Quit the bank, opened an embroidery business with my wife. Got divorced, sold the business for a lot of money, made a mistake and invested in a comedy club with a friend. Lost my tail when it went under because of poor financial management (friends part). Went on the road doing stand-up comedy, loved it. Ended up in Fort Smith, AR by accident, fell in love the the area and people. Stayed, went to work for a gym, became a partner, and stayed. Dating someone for two years, enjoying the frieds that I have met and will have forever, and just moving forward. Have been a volunteer EMT, Rape/Child Abuse Counselor, Court Mediator, as well as Chamber Ambassador, and various charities. I love to volunteer and give back to my community.
School
This should be interesting. I moved to Rossville, GA from Daytona Beach, FL. Talk about culture shock. My grandmother was dying and my mother moved us there to take care of her. She wasn't suppose to live but a year and we would move back ... she lived 7. Being the new kid is always difficult, much less being the new kid in a totally different state, with a totally different culture. I met Robert Patterson who is still one of my best friends today. School was easy for me, studying wasn't that difficult. Since I was 6' but only weighed 150, I took my share of ribbing from some of the class losers, but that ended the day I beat the hell out of Clint Billings who had it coming. It was great, I could focus on school and getting through puberty without having to worry about others hasseling me again. I had a great high school experience. Most of the teachers loved me, except one and she is dead so I won't pick on her. ...Expand for more
Had a great home room teacher, and many friends. Played football and ran track, as well as participated in ROTC which earned me a free rank when I went in the military. I would like back on my high school experience with many great moments. But one of the best parts was going back to the 5 year reunion and seeing the faces. That 6', 150 pound kid, had grown into a 6', 220 pound man. It is amazing what a few free weights and the military can do for a body. Screw milk, try running two miles, swimming two miles, and running two more miles at 6am.
Workplace
After serving 8 years in the military and working on my degree, I got out to complete my Bachelor's. During the military I did several things but the one most will remember was the fire on the USS Bonefish (submarine) that I was on. I have been a volunteer EMT, Rape/Child Abuse Counselor, Court Mediator, and several other things. Probably the most entertaining job was doing stand-up comedy for two years. I loved being on stage and entertaining, but the down side was constant travel and no permanent friends. Made great money and had fame for a little while though, and that was fun. Currently I am a partner in a gym in Arkansas. Traded fame for some fortune. I still perform every once in awhile in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Little Rock.
Military
I joined the US Navy a year before I graduated on the Delayed Entry Program. I left for Boot Camp five days after I graduated HS. Went to Great Lakes (Great Mistakes). Went from there to Submarine School which I graduated at the top of my class. After school I was put onboard a fast attack submarine out of Groton, CT. I was injuried during a drill and couldn't deploy to Italy has I wanted to. I was reassigned to the USS Bonefish (SS582) afterwards and served onboard until the catastrophic fire that destroyed the boat in 1989. I met many great friends like Russ Gill and Curt Chosky who I wish I was still in touch with today. I also met people that I would soon forget like P.J. LeStrange (I would enjoy seeing that little pinhead today to tell him just where he could put his LCDR emblems). Left there, got involved with Special Warfare and moved to VA Beach. During this time I earned several Good Conduct Awards, Navy Achievment Medals, Letters of Commendation, Expert Marksman in both rifle and pistol, and my submariner pin. After 8 years I got out to finish my degree and had intentions of returning, but decided to see what the civilian life was like. I never went back in although I remember 99% of my time as a great thing. I enjoyed serving my country and would do so in a minute if called upon.
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