Obituary: Carl Leo Sherwood
Author: Family of Carl Leo Sherwood
Carl Leo Sherwood
Family of Carl Leo Sherwood
April 3, 1952 - April 17, 2025
Carlton Leo Sherwood came into this earthly world on April 3, 1952. He was born to Edward "Cactus" and Anita Sherwood at St. Peter's Hospital in Helena, Montana.
He attended school in Townsend. As a youngster he had a few close friends that he hung out with doing fun stuff that boys do. He was a member of Cub Scouts where his mom was a Den Mother and a tough Taskmaster. He also played little league and was of course on the Yankees team and in their last year they won the league and were undefeated.
In 1960 the Sherwood family took a journey to upstate New York to visit grandparents and other extended relatives. While in New York Carl was able to attend a Yankees game at Yankee Stadium. This trip was also very notable as the family rode in their pink "Cactus Customized Hearse." It was quite the story around Townsend.
In Junior High he took up the sports of basketball and skiing. Carl was gifted at both and, following in the steps of his dad, he was a natural on the slopes. There were many family trips and days spent with friends skiing at Grassy Mountain.
During High school, he excelled at both academics and basketball. He earned very good grades and lettered twice in sports. He made many more friends and also developed a love for cars. Carl graduated from Broadwater County High School in 1970. He was notoriously known to his Classmates as "Woody". He was very proud to be a part of that group, many of whom are still very good friends.
After High School, Carl, along with others, attended UM in Missoula. College wasn't a fit for him and after a few quarters, he returned to Townsend. He and a few buddies then decided to give Idaho a try but they quickly returned to Montana. Then he went to work for Barry White Construction. He supervised the building of many Butler Steel structures around Broadwater County.
He also continued to spend summers playing Softball for the Mint Team and in winters enjoyed skiing trips to various slopes around Montana and Idaho. He and his friend Dan were roomies and lived out at the White Beaver Bar in Toston. It was THE place to be and now remains a historical landmark. Carl and Dan were there when the first fire destroyed the building and several other structures. They helped the then-owners (Marge and Jim Olsen and their children) get out of the burning house.
He moved back to Townsend and roomed with his friend Mike. In May of 1978 he married Pattijo Sayer in Townsend. Shortly after the newlyweds moved to Spokane and lived with Carl's brother Skip and his wife Chris. They were able to get established and purchased their first home with guidance from Skip who was a realtor at the time. Carl then went to work for Burlington Northern as a Linesman. During his tenure with the RR he and Pattijo were expecting their first child.
The railroad transferred the expecting family to Portland, Oregon where they stayed with Carl's Mom and sister, Marnie. Their son Joshua arrived on 11/5/1980. He also made a dear friend in Mike Soule and they routinely got together for haircuts until Mike's passing in 2024. After returning to Spokane the RR made cuts so Carl went to work for Cox Cable. While still enjoying the occasional ski trip he had a most unfortunate accident that kept him casted and laid up for nearly a year. During that time their daughter, Jessica, arrived on 6/25/1985.
Carl's work with Cox continued and he and Pattijo divorced in 1986. Eventually he was able to open his own Business, Customized Cable Services. For many years the business thrived but it was tough competing with the big corporations who monopolized the market. Carl eventually took a break from the thrill of skiing for the (supposedly) safer hobby of fishing. While fewer bones were at risk, some of Carl’s fishing tales suggest otherwise. He loved the sport and was again gifted for catching many salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and trout. He quickly recruited another friend, Eddie, to join in his reel-breaking expeditions. Together, they had numerous legendary fishing trips.
He also made several visits to Alaska to deep-sea fish with his friend Greg. In December of 1990, Carl married Tracy Allen. He continued to persevere with the business and they were able to build a beautiful home on 5 acres in Chattaroy, Washington. The two turned the place into a gardener's paradise. He enjoyed landscaping and anyone lucky enough to visit when the yard was in full bloom got a glimpse of Carl’s quiet artistry. The home became a place of many family gatherings, reunions, celebrations and Sherwood escapades, which aren't over just yet. In 2003, Carl and Tracy went their separate ways, but things moved forward with the business and life.
In 2004, Carl pulled one of his epic stunts when he arrived in a politically decorated car for his first date with Nancy Fike. Thankfully, she agreed to get in and they drove around Spokane, making several fun stops and collecting a full range of colorful gestures from fellow drivers. That night was the start of something special. Over the next 20+ years, the two shared many wonderful adventures and good times.
They enjoyed golfing in Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington and Mesquite, Nevada. Carl also rekindled his love of skiing and they spent many hours on the slopes at Big Sky, Montana, Big Mountain in Whitefish and 49 Degree North in Chewelah, WA. They shared a love of travel and visited Canada several times, Mexico, Bryce Canyon National Park, Disneyland, Washington DC, Boston and more.
One of their favorite adventures (especially Carl’s) was to Australia. They flew into Sydney and toured the city for several days and then drove up the coast to Brisbane stopping at several small fishing villages. Carl drove, which was a challenge because you drive on the other side of the road and needless to say roundabouts were a white knuckle.
A few years ago, they purchased a motorhome, which elevated their love for camping, especially on the Snake River. They fished, but Carl also built traps to catch crayfish and he once pulled out 50 crawdaddies in one swoop!
Somewhere in the middle (2018) Carl sold his business and officially retired, a milestone that brought him genuine joy and well-earned freedom.
There were many treasured trips to/from Montana with his kids, Josh and Jessica. They had special names for their favorite places and always visited The Silver Dollar Bar. Carl also had a deep love for his canine companions: Streaker, Clancy, Romeo and Jeter were his 4-legged soulmates. Music was also a big part of his life. He had a deep love for classic rock, tunes with soul and grit that included some twang.
His sense of humor, kind heart, integrity and fun-loving nature were contagious. If you were fortunate enough to call him a friend, no doubt you carry with you countless memories and stories — the kind that don’t fade, even with time. In those moments, Carl lives on; in the laughter he sparked and the adventures he inspired. Though Carl’s earthly time was unexpectedly cut short, the life he lived was full of love, laughter, family and friendships and unforgettable moments that will continue to echo in the hearts of those who loved him.
Carl was preceded in death by his father, Ed "Cactus" Sherwood, Mother, Anita Sherwood, Stepmother, Marjorie Sherwood and Stepfather, Ross Hood.
Carl is survived by his son Josh Sherwood, Coeur d' Alene, daughter Jessica Sherwood, Missoula, Sister Sydney Webb (Jim), Arizona, Brother Skip Sherwood of Spokane, Sister Leslie Skinner (Bernie) Pahrump Nevada, Sister Marnie Sherwood, Beaverton Oregon. As well as grandchildren Kelcee and Kingsley, nieces, nephews and a loyal circle of cherished friends.
When the Yankees win and spirits rise,
Raise your glass up to the skies.
For Carl, who cheered with heart and grin,
Is watching still — and loves the win.
A memorial service is planned for Sunday May 25th at noon in Spokane Valley at Center Place Regional Event Center located at 2426 N Discovery Pl.
There will be a celebration of life to follow, held at Carl's home, which he proudly built and retired in. To view and sign Carl's online guestbook, please visit https://www.lauerfuneral.com.
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