Page created by: Jordan Sherrod

Small beginnings are the launching pad to great endings – Joyce Meyer

In late June, Bill and a very pregnant Helen Sherrod arrived in Benkelman, Nebraska for an auction. Plans changed only slightly when Helen went into labor. Bill dropped her at the hospital, attended the auction, picked her up the next morning, and they headed back home. Such was the life of a busy farming family.

And so, with little fanfare, Duane W. Sherrod was born on June 24, 1944. He grew up on a cattle ranch in Steamboat Springs Colorado, 4th of 6 children. Born a ranch hand, school was somewhat optional, and typically took a backseat to work or other adventures. Even so, he graduated high school with a wrestling scholarship to Grand Junction. In the years to come, education of all sorts became a passion. He loved subjects ranging from history to the arts, and would spend most evenings reading, sometimes into the early morning hours. But that was later. His early years were quite different however, and, due to failing grades was drafted into the army.

In October of 1966 Duane was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska as a Tank Commander in the 40th Armored Battalion of the 171 Infantry Brigade. He was honorably discharged in 1969. He moved to Hays Kansas for his undergraduate degree, where he met his future wife, Marsha Ann Rouse, and began his medical education.
Following graduation from Fort Hays State University, he attended UAG school of medicine in Guadalajara, Mexico. He completed a residency in general surgery as well as a three year residency in plastic surgery at New York University in Syracuse, New York. After completion he moved his family to Miami Beach Florida where he did a one year fellowship in cosmetic surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital.

Duane and Marsha then moved with their three children Danielle, Nicole and Jordan to Joplin Missouri, where he very happily spent the next 33 years in private practice as a plastic and reconstructive surgeon. During this time, he was president of the Missouri Medical society, and was a co-owner/founder of the Four States Surgery Center.

He cherished these years, both for the work he enjoyed, and the patients he loved. He had a soft spot for children and his older patients, often bartering with those who couldn’t afford his services. It wasn’t unusual for his family to find various baked goods or even livestock in exchange for a needed procedure.
In 1987, he bought a place in the country where he, with the help of his family, transformed the landscape and renovated the existing house where the family lived for a number of years. When not in the office, Dr. Sherrod could be found building and subsequently rebuilding retaining walls, designing gardens, overseeing building projects and acquiring various farms animals.

Dr. Sherrod retired from his practice in June of 2017 after the diagnosis of Parkinson’s. He did so quietly, and with a heavy heart. There were few things he loved more than his patients and his time as a plastic surgeon. In his later years, he enjoyed time at home with family and his gardens.

Beyond his career and his accomplishments, Duane will be remembered by his family for his tenacious character, his charming smile, and questionable dance moves. He loved gardening and burning brush in equal measure. He was the life of any party, but was happiest in a quiet corner with a good book. More than anything he will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather, who despite humble beginnings lived a full and exceptional life.

At the age of 79, on April 15th, Duane passed away at home, surrounded by family. He is survived by
His wife Marsha Sherrod

Children;
Danielle Trost
Jordan Sherrod and wife Ashley Sherrod
Nicole Phillips and husband Brian Phillips

Grandchildren:
Helen Sophia Trost​​
Isla Smith Trost​​​
Peter Miles Trost​​
Thatcher Jordan Phillips​​​
Chandler Louise Phillips
Coleman Duane Sherrod

Siblings
​Jackie Grimaldi
​Sandra Sherrod
​Delbert Sherrod
​Don Sherrod

And many nieces and nephews

Preceded in death by
His parents, Bill and Helen Sherrod and his brother Douglas Sherrod

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Forest Park Baptist Church in Joplin, Mo or the Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Foundation.