James E. Sherrard III

 1 January 1943- 14 March 2025

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Lt. General James E. Sherrard, III, a distinguished military leader, husband, father, and grandfather. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his beloved family in Pensacola, Florida on March 14, 2025 leaving behind a far-reaching legacy of patriotism, honor, and loyalty.
Lt. General Sherrard served as Chief of Air Force Reserve, Headquarters, Washington D.C, and Commander Air Force Reserve Command, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. As Chief of the Air Force Reserve, he served as Principal Advisor on Reserve Matters to the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Staff, United States Air Force. As Commander of Air Force Reserve Command, he had full responsibility for organizing, training, and equipping U.S. Air Force Reserve Units and personnel worldwide. General Sherrard directed mobilizations of AFR personnel in support of combat operations in Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq.
General Sherrard is a distinguished and proud graduate of the University of Mississippi Reserve Officer Training Corps program and entered active duty in July 1965. General Sherrard is a Command Pilot with more than 5,000 flying hours. He commanded two Air Force Reserve Tactical Airlift Groups, two Airlift Wings, and two numbered Air Forces. He also served as HQ Air Force Reserve Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, Programs, and Manpower. General Sherrard retired from active service in June of 2004.
Throughout his career, General Sherrard was a devoted mentor, charismatic leader, a visionary, and loyal friend to many. He made everyone in his path feel valued, important, and reveled in helping his reports rise to their highest potential. He had the true gift of remembering every detail of anything he ever heard or read and never forgot a face.
Born in Tutwiler, Mississippi, General Sherrard was the son of Margaret and James Sherrard, II. He graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1965 and was a proud Commander of his ROTC program.
His journey as a pilot started in 1965 at Moody Air Force Base where he served as an Instructor Pilot from 1966 until 1970. General Sherrard also was Simulator Division Chief, Wing Flight Management Officer and Wing Operations Officer for the U.S. Air Force, and in the West German pilot training program from August 1966 through December 1970 at Sheppard AFB. He then served as Instructor Pilot-C130 A/B and AC-130A Flight Examiner and Squadron Operation Officer, 919th Tactical Airlift Group, Eglin Auxiliary Field 3 (Duke Field), Florida from October 1971 to September 1977. General Sherrard served as Squadron Operations Officer and C-130 E Instructor Pilot, 913th Tactical Airlift Group, Willow Grove Air Reserve Facility, Pennsylvania from September 1977 until November 1978. From November 1978 through July 1981, he served as Assistant Deputy Commander, then Deputy Commander for Operations, 459th Tactical Airlift Group, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland. From July 1981 until October 1984, he served as Commander of the 910th Tactical Airlift Group, Youngstown Municipal Airport, Ohio. General Sherrard was Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, Programs, and Manpower, Headquarters Air Force Reserve, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia from October 1984 until 1986. He then acted as Commander of the 440th Tactical Airlift Wing, Billy Mitchell Field, Wisconsin from August 1986 until January 1988. He served as Commander of the 433rd Military Airlift Wing from January 1988 through February 1990 at Kelly Air Force Base, Texas. General Sherrard was Commander of the 4th Air Force at McClellan Air Force Base, California from February 1990 until July 1993. He served as Vice Commander, Air Force Reserve in Warner Robins, Georgia from July 1993 until October 1994. General Sherrard was Commander of the 22nd Air Force, Dobbins Air Reserve, Georgia from October 1994 through January 1995. He served as Vice Commander of Air Force Reserve Command Robins Air Force Base, Georgia from January 1995 until January 1998. He then served as Commander, 22nd Air Force, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia from January 1998 through September 1998. General Sherrard lead as Chief of the Air Force Reserves, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington D.C., and Commander of Air Force Reserve Command, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia from September 1998 until May 2004.
His Major Awards and Decorations are Distinguished Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with six oak leaf clusters, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with two oak leaf clusters, Combat Readiness Medal with two oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal with service star, and Armed Forces Reserve Medal with hourglass.
Other Achievements are the 1996 AFRC Order of the Sword, 2003 National Father of the Year Award, 2003 Reserve Officers Association Minuteman of the Year, 2006 Ole Miss Alumnae Association Hall of Fame, as well as, Lt. General James E. Sherrard, III Air Force Reserve Command Outstanding Unit Award.
James "Jimmy" Sherrard was known for his gregarious personality, photographic memory, love of blues music and bourbon, and his unwavering love for his family and our great country. He never met a stranger and always made everyone feel valued. His happiest years included twenty-eight years of love and laughter with his wife, Marsha; spring training for his beloved Yankees; fishing for crappie in Minnesota; scalloping in Port St. Joe; catching any Eagles concert that he could; cheering on his alma mater, Ole Miss teams; and beaming with pride about his four daughters and eight grandchildren. He was blessed to have found another partner-in-crime later in life, Annette Lee, whom taught him you are never too old to live your best life. She helped him find his smile again.
James is preceded in death by the love of his life, Marsha Sherrard, whom is welcoming him home with open arms, along with his mother and father, Margaret and James Sherrard, II of Mississippi; and brother, Robert E. Sherrard of Pierceton, Indiana. James is survived by his four daughters, Heather L. Kingston (Scott) of Cabot, AR; Jennifer L. Tuerff (James) of West Chester, PA; Ashley M. Williamson of Fort Walton Beach, FL; and Allison S. Cheney (Steven) of Fairhope, AL; seven grandsons, Jackson L. Opdahl, Robert M. Kingston, MIDN Tucker S. Opdahl, Jay M. Kingston, Rex D. Opdahl, Zachary J. Williamson, and Harrison E. Cheney; and finally a granddaughter, Addison M. Cheney. He was blessed also with Marsha's family, the Rosenows.
A celebration of life will be held on April 25, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. at St. Simon's on the Sound Church in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. In lieu of flowers, the family requests your consideration to make donations to Ole Miss ROTC; Memorial contributions may be made to the University of Mississippi Foundation. Please direct your gift to the Lt. Gen. James E. Sherrard, III Memorial Fund. Gifts may be made online at https://umfoundation.com/Sherrard by phone at 662.915.5944, or by mail: University of Mississippi Foundation, 406 University Avenue Oxford, MS 38655.
Lt. General James E. Sherrard, III will be interred on a future date with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.