David James McSherry
David James McSherry, was born on October 5, 1961 to Judy and Fred McSherry in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After a short illness, he left this world for the next one on November 15, 2018. He was 57 years old.
Throughout his entire life, Dave LOVED the outdoors. He fondly recalled the days of his youth spent playing baseball with friends on warm, beautiful summer days, or riding dirt bikes with his brother Steve and friends on his grandparent’s vegetable farm. He often said that his parents “hardly knew what he looked like” because he and his friends were always heading out the door for their next adventure. This continued into high school, as Dave kept on with baseball and also developed a true talent for golf. His dad maintained that Dave had enough talent to become a professional golfer. Along with his love of sports, Dave also developed a passion for muscle cars; lots and lots of hours were spent under the hoods of various cars along the way, with his favorite being the 1972 Chevelle SS. Steve says Dave put many hours of time and effort into making it “Dave’s car”.
Dave spent his teenage and early adult summers working on his grandparents’ vegetable farm in Anoka, Minnesota. Years later, his grandfather would proudly state that Dave could offload a radish combine “without spilling one radish!” Dave proudly worked hard, long hours side by side with family members in helping his grandparents, both of whom greatly influenced him throughout his life, grow their farm.
Dave’s career path took him to the world of retail sales, first with the Herberger’s department store chain and then moving into car sales. After spending years working for other people, he fulfilled his true passion and talent for cooking by opening The Gathering Place in Huntley. Many people came to love Saturday night, which was Steak Night, his specialty. Dave loved to visit. He would take the time to get to know people. When people came in, he often greeted them by saying, “Folks, how are we doing?” Several customers became cherished friends. This is where his love of people really shined. People quickly learned Dave had a great sense of humor, as he had the entire place laughing at his jokes and funny stories. He and daughter Cortney ran the store on a daily basis, Tuesday through Saturdays, with wife Darla helping on Saturdays.
Dave had two little girls whom he adored and loved deeply, Rachel and Cortney. One of his favorite things to do was to take these little girls camping and introduce them to his love of the great outdoors. He took the time to teach them how to fish, make s’mores over the campfire, and to just spend precious time together.
Dave’s love of the outdoors also took him on many hunting adventures. He especially loved hunting pheasants in Nebraska, and deer and elk hunting in Montana. A peak hunting experience for Dave was a guided elk hunting trip in the Bob Marshall Wilderness with his father-in-law Dick Tyler.
I met the love of my life on a car lot in Billings, Montana. I had the good fortune of needing a different car and met Dave on a test drive. I just knew from the beginning moment he was different than anyone I had ever met before in my entire life. That interaction on a test drive blossomed into a friendship and then love. We worked together side by side for twenty one years building our life and raising our family together.
Dave is survived by his wife, Darla Tyler-McSherry of Shepherd; daughter Rachel McSherry of Billings; daughter Cortney McSherry of Shepherd; his father Fred McSherry of Chisago City, Minnesota; mother Judy McSherry of Coon Rapids, Minnesota; brother Steve McSherry (Sheila) of Orono, Minnesota; brother Marc McSherry of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; sister Meagan McSherry of Maple Grove, Minnesota, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; mother-in-law Lenore Tyler of Big Sandy, Montana, and his brother-in-law Randall Tyler of Gildford, Montana. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Stanley and Delores Knoll of Anoka, Minnesota, and James and Mildred McSherry of New Brighton, Minnesota and his father in law Dick Tyler of Big Sandy, Montana.
Memorials in Dave’s honor can be made to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation or the charity of one’s choice.
A memorial service will take place Tuesday, November 20 at 1:00 PM at Smith’s Funeral Chapels at 925 South 27thStreet in Billings, Montana.
Dave I love you and miss you. I know you are watching over us. Your eternal rest is well-deserved
