(From Parker Mortuary)Small beginnings are the launching pad to great endings – Joyce Meyer
In late June, Bill and a very pregnant Helen Sherrod arrived in Benkelman, Nebraska for an auction. Plans changed only slightly when Helen went into labor. Bill dropped her at the hospital, attended the auction, picked her up the next morning, and they headed back home. Such was the life of a busy farming family. And so, with little fanfare, Duane W. Sherrod was born on June 24, 1944.
He grew up on a cattle ranch in Steamboat Springs Colorado, 4th of 6 children. Born a ranch hand, school was somewhat optional, and typically took a backseat to work or other adventures. Even so, he graduated high school with a wrestling scholarship to Grand Junction. In the years to come, education of all sorts became a passion. He loved subjects ranging from history to the arts, and would spend most evenings reading, sometimes into the early morning hours. But that was later. His early years were quite different however, and, due to failing grades was drafted into the army.
In October of 1966 Duane was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska as a Tank Commander in the 40th Armored Battalion of the 171 Infantry Brigade. He was honorably discharged in 1969. He moved to Hays Kansas for his undergraduate degree, where he met his future wife, Marsha Ann Rouse, and began his medical education.
Following graduation from Fort Hays State University, he attended UAG school of medicine in Guadalajara, Mexico. He completed a residency in general surgery as well as a three year residency in plastic surgery at New York University in Syracuse, New York. After completion he moved his family to Miami Beach Florida where he did a one year fellowship in cosmetic surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital.
Duane and Marsha then moved with their three children Danielle, Nicole and Jordan to Joplin Missouri, where he very happily spent the next 33 years in private practice as a plastic and reconstructive surgeon. During this time, he was president of the Missouri Medical society, and was a co-owner/founder of the Four States Surgery Center.
He cherished these years, both for the work he enjoyed, and the patients he loved. He had a soft spot for children and his older patients, often bartering with those who couldn’t afford his services. It wasn’t unusual for his family to find various baked goods or even livestock in exchange for a needed procedure.
In October of 1966 Duane was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska as a Tank Commander in the 40th Armored Battalion of the 171 Infantry Brigade. He was honorably discharged in 1969. He moved to Hays Kansas for his undergraduate degree, where he met his future wife, Marsha Ann Rouse, and began his medical education.
Following graduation from Fort Hays State University, he attended UAG school of medicine in Guadalajara, Mexico. He completed a residency in general surgery as well as a three year residency in plastic surgery at New York University in Syracuse, New York. After completion he moved his family to Miami Beach Florida where he did a one year fellowship in cosmetic surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital.
Duane and Marsha then moved with their three children Danielle, Nicole and Jordan to Joplin Missouri, where he very happily spent the next 33 years in private practice as a plastic and reconstructive surgeon. During this time, he was president of the Missouri Medical society, and was a co-owner/founder of the Four States Surgery Center.
He cherished these years, both for the work he enjoyed, and the patients he loved. He had a soft spot for children and his older patients, often bartering with those who couldn’t afford his services. It wasn’t unusual for his family to find various baked goods or even livestock in exchange for a needed procedure.
In 1987, he bought a place in the country where he, with the help of his family, transformed the landscape and renovated the existing house where the family lived for a number of years. When not in the office, Dr. Sherrod could be found building and subsequently rebuilding retaining walls, designing gardens, overseeing building projects and acquiring various farms animals.
Dr. Sherrod retired from his practice in June of 2017 after the diagnosis of Parkinson’s. He did so quietly, and with a heavy heart.
There were few things he loved more than his patients and his time as a plastic surgeon. In his later years, he enjoyed time at home with family and his gardens.
Beyond his career and his accomplishments, Duane will be remembered by his family for his tenacious character, his charming smile, and questionable dance moves. He loved gardening and burning brush in equal measure. He was the life of any party, but was happiest in a quiet corner with a good book. More than anything he will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather, who despite humble beginnings lived a full and exceptional life.
Duane is survived by his loving wife, Marsha (Rouse) Sherrod; children, Danielle Trost of Atlanta, GA., Nicole Phillips (Brian) of Joplin, MO., and Jordan Sherrod (Ashley), of Fayetteville, NC.; grandchildren, Helen Trost, Miles Trost, Isla Trost, Thatcher Phillips, Chandler Phillips, and Coleman Sherrod; siblings, Sandra Sherrod, Jackie Grimaldi, Don Sherrod, and Delbert Sherrod; as well as many loved nieces and nephews.
Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother Douglas Sherrod.
A funeral service is planned for Monday, April 22, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Forest Park Baptist Church in Joplin, MO. A burial will follow at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery with Full Military Honors. The family invites friends for a time of visitation at 10:00 a.m. on Monday at the church. Memorial Contributions can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation. There is a QR code for memorial contributions on the Tribute Wall page or you can copy this link into your browser. https://shorturl.at/fnNQU
Arrangements are under the direct care of Parker Mortuary, Joplin, MO.
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