Brian Morgan Sherrod, 62, of Vilonia passed away on May 5, 2020. He was born in North Little Rock, Arkansas on April 4, 1958 to Floyd and Betty Sherrod.
He was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, and friend. In life he was a self-taught software developer and web designer. He enjoyed photography, astronomy, genealogy, and restoring antique radios. He was president of the K5BOC Memorial Hamfest, a civil war enthusiast and a metal detectorist.
He was preceded in death by his father Floyd Sherrod, his sister Sylvia Inmon and stepson Cory Johnson.
Brian leaves behind his mother Betty, his brother Clay Sherrod (Patsy), his loving wife of 27 years, Tamara Sherrod, his children Brian Sherrod II, Amanda Howard (Jason), Nina Sherrod and stepdaughter Brittany Moody (Justin), his grandchildren Kenzie, Blake, Elizabeth, Aniston, Camryn, and Gathian, plus extended family and friends.
The following is a loving tribute written by his brother Clay Sherrod:
“He who feeds a hungry animal feeds his own soul” – Charles Chaplin
Every email, letter, every written word that he put on paper ended with that phrase, words that Brian Morgan Sherrod lived by and instilled into others as to the importance of appreciating all life over and above our own.
And there is no doubt that Brian’s soul was entirely satiated from the love he gave to all creatures on Tuesday, May 5 when he passed – the result of complication from a very severe head injury he suffered in January – from this world he had made so rich for others with whom he shared.
To say that Brian Sherrod had an amazing mind is an understatement as all who knew him quickly realized; at age 14, long before home computers, he dismantled one of the first programmable Texas Instruments pocket calculators, reprogrammed it, and used the electronics to construct a fully functional programmable machine that served as Arkansas’ first astronomical computer. He was a master film photographer, published and known the world over for his remarkable prints that stimulated the senses; an avid Ham Radio operator and organizer for hams across the United States, Brian learned to completely design and build both old and new equipment; his hobby of love was restoring vintage radios for which he not only got them working again like new, but could actually cut open the antique glass tubes and rebuild them entirely so that they could function.
His diverse interests through life afforded him the opportunity to drive one of the largest earth-moving vehicles ever made while working at Big Rock quarries at a very young age, serve as “DJ Brian” in Little Rock nightclubs for over a decade of nighttime excitement, and ultimately develop the essential computer programming for Arkansas state, county and municipal governmental operations at every level, these are still in use and maintained by Tamie today.
Brian loved Petit Jean Mountain and spent countless hours on the plateau searching, discovering, photographing and relating to nature from age three until shortly before his untimely death.
He helped establish the Arkansas Sky Observatories’ network of four observatories across Arkansas and had earned a Harvard Minor Planet Center designation – H44 – for his large observatory on Cascade Mountain in Faulkner County.
But Brian Morgan Sherrod was best known for his heart, both for his fellow human and for his best friends – the canines of the world. He never met a dog that he did not love. His compassion for his fellow man and for those furry friends of man surely provided one of the richest souls to ever depart this Earth.
Arrangements have been entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas. 501-982-3400
8 Comments
I will grieve, my dear brother, for the duration of my life as I miss you until we meet again; but while I grieve I am remembering your laugh, our ideas, thoughts and ways that the Sherrod Brothers were going to change the world. My days will be filled with memories of so many adventures that we shared throughout our lives. My life is richer and has been rewarded by having you in it. I will see you soon for that “1/2 cup” of coffee; meanwhile look down upon your loving and wonderful family for whom your love never departed.
Brian will be deeply missed all of us that knew him.
I knew Brian was smart, talented and innovative. I did not realize the extent of his interests and talents. Clay,you wrote a beautiful and enlightening eulogy. What a beautiful person we just list
There is no way to describe the Many ways Brian touched my life and speaking on behalf of my mother,( Sylvia Inmon), her’s as well. He was brilliant, so creative, so fun, and so
‘real’! He was so much more than an uncle- he was a true friend. He will be deeply missed and forever loved.
I love you dad. I wish I could give you a hug. Forever your peanut.
I met Brian when I was about 14 years old. We stumbled across each other experimenting with radio and realized we had common interests. We talked electronics, radio and computers and became lifelong friends for the next 40+ years. From satellites to old vacuum tube radios, we talked to each other on all kinds of electronics. We could also go a year or more without talking and then pick right back up like no time had passed. I’ll sure miss you my friend.
I extend my sympathies in your loss. Mr Sherrod is obviously loved and missed.
Even those of us who did not know Mr Sherrod can mourn the loss of such a talented and gifted individual.
Brian was a fine individual, deeply committed to his family, and I will always respect the extensive genealogical work he did for ALL of us.
Sign Guestbook