Earl Lawrence Sherron Jr.

Earl Lawrence Sherron Jr. was born in Kilgore, Texas, on Oct. 5, 1938, to Earl and Virginia Sherron. Earl was the couple's only child. He passed Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014, at his home in Missoula after a courageous two-year battle with a rare form of cancer. Just a few days prior to Earl's passing, his strong will and determination enabled him to go hunting one last time with his family and dear friends.

As the son of an oilman, Earl Jr. lived in numerous places as a child. His family lived in Texas, Canada and eventually Montana.

While living in Calgary, Alberta, Earl developed a passion for hockey and contact football. During his sophomore year in 1953, the Sherrons relocated to Glendive.

Earl continued his love of football and in 1954 his Red Devils won the Class A state championship. They followed up their championship season as runner-up in 1955. Earl graduated from Dawson County High School in 1956.

During high school, Earl met Donna Milne. On Aug. 26, 1961, they were wed in Donna's parents (Jack and Ella) backyard.

Earl attended the Montana School of Mines in Butte and completed his studies at the University of Montana, graduating in 1962 with a degree in geology.

He started his professional working career as a salesman for Panther Chemical Co. in Fort Worth, Texas.

Earl seized an opportunity to return to Montana in 1968. He purchased a small local distributor in Missoula. The distributorship's primary brand was Montana's own Great Falls Select. The company expanded by adding Olympia to its roster. Earl grew the brand and Olympia became the No. 1 beer in Montana. It held that distinguished honor for over 10 years, winning multiple awards along the way. By the start of the next decade, Earl's Distributing had brought on many wine brands and captured nearly 100 percent of the wine market. The company continued to flourish under Earl's leadership, adding premier brands like Coors and Gallo. The company eventually grew from five employees to 125 employees at its prime.

The early years of Earl's Distributing were some of the finest. The company was instrumental in raising money for University of Montana through hallmark programs – Aber Day Kegger, Feed the Bears (Griz) and Chateau St. Michele UM commemorative bottling. One of Earl Distributing's beloved brands was Hamm's beer. Known for its dancing bears, the "Hamm's Bears" made their first appearance at Dornblazer field for a UM football game. The bears were the predecessor of UM's current mascot, Monte.

Earl was a passionate supporter of University of Montana student-athletes. He particularly enjoyed the successes of Montana students who made Griz Nation proud. Earl donated funds to build the first student-athlete weight room. He served student–athletes through his philanthropic activities as a member the UM Foundation Board, UM Capital Campaign, National Advisory Board for Grizzly Athletics, Grizzly Riders, Quarterback Club and served as GSA president.

Earl's business endeavors went far beyond his own company. He served on the board of the Montana Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, National Beer Wholesalers Association, Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America and the Rocky Mountain Beer Wholesalers Distributors Association, to name a few.

In his personal life, Earl enjoyed hunting, fishing and golf. He was a firm believer in the merits of animal conservation. He filled pivotal positions on the boards of Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks (commissioner), Boone and Crocket Club (vice president/administration liaison and physical assets committee chair), Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and was the Montana Outdoor Legacy Foundation president.

Earl's family was the greatest testament to his life. He was a loving husband to Donna for 53 wonderful years. Earl and Donna have three children, Mysta, Krista and Jon. Supported by Mysta's husband, Mike Tucker and their three children Amanda, Dustyn and Jessica; and Jon's wife, Alexandra.

A celebration of Earl's life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 2, at the Boone and Crockett Club, 250 Station Drive.

Memorials can be directed to the Montana Outdoor Legacy Foundation; which provides private support for preserving and enhancing Montana's natural, cultural, and recreational resources (mtoutdoorlegacy.org).
Read Earl Sherron Jr.'s Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.