Raymond Eugene Sherman, Sr.

Retired Auburn Police Captain Raymond E Sherman, Sr. passed away on November 17, 2013 at the age of 70.

Born in Colcord, OK on Christmas Day, 1942, Ray was the oldest of 16 children born to Harold and Doris Faye Sherman. When he was seven years old, the family moved to Clatskanie, OR, where Ray attended school, excelling in baseball and basketball. After graduating from Clatskanie High School in 1960, he joined the US Air Force and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan for several years training guard dogs for the military. Married to Linda Engelhart for 35 years, they raised three children, Sherri, Ray, Jr and Robert.

Ray began his 32 year career in Law Enforcement in Shelton, WA and joined the Auburn Police Department in 1969. He spent 28 years there, rising through the ranks from patrolman to captain, and in 1991 was one of the first APD officers to complete an 11-week law enforcement training course at the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA.

After retiring from the Auburn Police Department in 1997, Ray began a second career at Emerald Downs Racetrack, serving as Director of Security for 13 years. He also spent more than 10 years as a part-time court officer and Sergeant with the Pacific Police Department’s Corrections Department. A member of the Auburn Noon Lions for more than 25 years, Ray served as president in 1992, and received the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award, the highest honor Lions International bestows, for his many years of community service and involvement.

An avid outdoorsman, Ray loved hunting and fishing and enjoyed every minute spent in the woods with his son, Ray, Jr, son-in-law, Donnie and so many other hunting companions.

Preceded in death by his parents, as well as his beloved canine companion, Lucky, Ray leaves behind his wife and partner of more than 13 years, Kathleen; three children Sherri (Donnie) Adcox, Raymond Jr and Robert; stepdaughter Brittany Hermansen; six beloved grandchildren Jenette, Jessica, Megan, Marcus, Matthew and Hailey; plus two very special great-grandchildren Jackson and Abbie. He also is survived by 15 brothers and sisters, faithful companions Buddy and Cooper and too many loyal friends and colleagues to mention.

Services are scheduled at 2 pm on Saturday, November 23, at Messiah Lutheran Church in Auburn, with inurnment to follow at a later date at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent.