Highland Park kids will miss crossing guard, 96
Highland Park kids will miss crossing guard, 96
GOODBYE MR. SHERMAN. This smiling face was just one of the school well wishers last Friday when Highland Park's 95-year-old Merritt W. Sherman was given emotional hugs and well wishes after serving 17 years as a crossing guard. During Mr. Sherman's his last day at school he reminisced with staff over his days as a student of Highland Park Elementary when he attended in 1918.<br><br>See story, Page 4. - Matthew E. Durham
Wed, 10/12/2005
Merritt Sherman has been a crossing guard at Highland Park Elementary School for 15 years.
This doesn't seem so unusual until you realize that he is 96 years old. He retired from the Railway Express Agency after 40 years and enjoyed retirement for a while. But when he was 80 a policeman suggested that he get a job as a crossing guard, and he has been on the job ever since. He is totally reliable because he has such a concern for the safety of our students. He is at his corner morning and afternoon in rain, snow, or cold.
Mr. Sherman was born in a log cabin in Kadoka, S.C., on Feb. 22 (Washington's birthday, he frequently tells me), 1909. In 1932 he and his uncle moved to Seattle where the two men built a house in West Seattle. The Shermans, who still live there, raised their two children (Carol and Merritt, Jr.) in the house. Mr. Sherman has been married to his wife, Ina, for 74 years.
Mr. Sherman is somewhat of a legend and local historian in the Highland Park area. About 1919 he was living in the neighborhood for a short while and was actually a student at Highland Park when it was just a few portables. This makes him one of our oldest alumni.
He can go on and on telling tales about the old days: where the old streetcar ran, why the area used to be called "Billy Goat Hill", what things were like without street lights and sidewalks. During World War I soldiers were stationed on the field behind the school to man anti-aircraft guns and barrage balloons. Mr. Sherman let some of them use the empty lot behind his house to set up their tents because there wasn't enough space for all of them on the playfield. His stories are endless and fascinating once you get him started and pump him a little.
(Last Friday was) a sad day for Mr. Sherman because he loves working with the kids and parents. But he feels that he has to stay home with his wife.
About a year ago she suffered a stroke and then, not too long after that, both Mr. and Mrs. Sherman were in a car accident. He recovered, but she is still somewhat of an invalid. Mr. Sherman could put her in a nursing home, but he wants her to stay at home, so he helps look after her and does a lot of the housework. He has a very sharp mind and a kind, gentle soul.
Margaret Young is administrative secretary at Highland Park School.
