1924
Philip
2012
Philip Lee Sheridan
October 17, 1924 — February 26, 2012
Philip “Phil” Lee Sheridan, 87, passed away on February 26th, 2012 in Amarillo, TX due to natural causes.
Phil was born in Berkeley, CA on October 17, 1924 as he entered his family as the only Deaf child: Philip Lawrence “Larry” Sheridan, father, Helen Huntley Sheridan mother, and Patricia Sheridan, his sister.
Phil grew up in various locations (Berkeley, Pasadena, Honolulu, Big Springs (or Big Timber) Montana and Vancouver B.C.). Being Deaf is never easy, especially during challenging times. Since it was the Depression/WWII era, Phil did his very best to help bring in family money and maintained most of the cooking/cleaning while his mother, Helen, worked long hours to earn money (women earned smaller wages back then).
Phil graduated from Pasadena City College (there were no interpreters for the Deaf back then) and eventually became a draftsman with Lockheed (manufacturers of airplanes). Phil was a “self-taught” professional by constantly learning how to improve his work skills, his writing, and his life-long desire to learn about world history and archeology. He toured around the world three times, with his wife, and alone, and always with a tight budget. He witnessed the coronation of Queen Elizabeth and witnessed the rise and fall of the Berlin Wall. Deafness was not an issue during his travels. Phil always benefitted from the use of American Sign Language, as well as note-writing, since these two tools were most helpful during his travels. Even after marriage, he would travel with his wife and learn together. His children have also developed a love for travel.
Phil married Barbara Upton Sheridan in Deming, New Mexico in 1954. They lived briefly in Bayard, NM and Arizona. Later, they lived for a few years in Santa Clara, CA, where Phil worked as a Cartographer for the U.S. Geological Survey. They later moved to Silver Spring, MD, Deming, NM, and Downey, CA, where Phil retired out of the US Naval Department.
The family grew with the addition of Priscilla Wamel Sheridan (now Miller) of Amarillo Texas, and Philip Dean Sheridan of Bainbridge Island, Washington, both partially Deaf. Priscilla married David Miller. Later, Phil became a proud grandfather to Scott, Michelle, Brian, and Kevin. Scott and English Miller brought forth his great grandchildren, Zachary and Adelyn. Michelle brought joy in marrying Matthew Erickson. Philip Dean Sheridan married Lea May Grant, and Phil became a proud grandfather to Danica, Cambria, and Philip Grant.
There were three main events that helped form Phil’s life: His mother Helen, his best Deaf friend, Merle Smith (who taught him vocabulary builders using Latin/Greek prefixes), and the Hawaiian way of life. Everything in Hawaii is based on Balance and Harmony, as well as the appreciation for fresh food and good health.
The five phrases that sum up the life of Philip Lee Sheridan: God, Honor, Hard Work, Stoicism, and the Joy of Traveling. Rest in Peace Phil…your next trip should be a fantastic journey. Mahalo and Aloha (Hawaiian for Thank You and Goodbye-with Love).
The funeral will be held at Baca’s Mortuary in Deming, NM, March 3, at 10 a.m., presided by Rev. Larimore Wickett, Pastor of Deming First Presbyterian Church. He will be buried alongside his wife, Barbara, who passed away in 1999. Amarillo arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia.
The family wishes to thank Chestnut Lane Assisted Living Facility for the Deaf in Oregon, The Continental, BSA Hospice, and Childers Place (all in Amarillo, TX) for helping Philip in his last few years of life on earth. Memorials may be made to BSA Hospice, PO Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79105.
Phil was born in Berkeley, CA on October 17, 1924 as he entered his family as the only Deaf child: Philip Lawrence “Larry” Sheridan, father, Helen Huntley Sheridan mother, and Patricia Sheridan, his sister.
Phil grew up in various locations (Berkeley, Pasadena, Honolulu, Big Springs (or Big Timber) Montana and Vancouver B.C.). Being Deaf is never easy, especially during challenging times. Since it was the Depression/WWII era, Phil did his very best to help bring in family money and maintained most of the cooking/cleaning while his mother, Helen, worked long hours to earn money (women earned smaller wages back then).
Phil graduated from Pasadena City College (there were no interpreters for the Deaf back then) and eventually became a draftsman with Lockheed (manufacturers of airplanes). Phil was a “self-taught” professional by constantly learning how to improve his work skills, his writing, and his life-long desire to learn about world history and archeology. He toured around the world three times, with his wife, and alone, and always with a tight budget. He witnessed the coronation of Queen Elizabeth and witnessed the rise and fall of the Berlin Wall. Deafness was not an issue during his travels. Phil always benefitted from the use of American Sign Language, as well as note-writing, since these two tools were most helpful during his travels. Even after marriage, he would travel with his wife and learn together. His children have also developed a love for travel.
Phil married Barbara Upton Sheridan in Deming, New Mexico in 1954. They lived briefly in Bayard, NM and Arizona. Later, they lived for a few years in Santa Clara, CA, where Phil worked as a Cartographer for the U.S. Geological Survey. They later moved to Silver Spring, MD, Deming, NM, and Downey, CA, where Phil retired out of the US Naval Department.
The family grew with the addition of Priscilla Wamel Sheridan (now Miller) of Amarillo Texas, and Philip Dean Sheridan of Bainbridge Island, Washington, both partially Deaf. Priscilla married David Miller. Later, Phil became a proud grandfather to Scott, Michelle, Brian, and Kevin. Scott and English Miller brought forth his great grandchildren, Zachary and Adelyn. Michelle brought joy in marrying Matthew Erickson. Philip Dean Sheridan married Lea May Grant, and Phil became a proud grandfather to Danica, Cambria, and Philip Grant.
There were three main events that helped form Phil’s life: His mother Helen, his best Deaf friend, Merle Smith (who taught him vocabulary builders using Latin/Greek prefixes), and the Hawaiian way of life. Everything in Hawaii is based on Balance and Harmony, as well as the appreciation for fresh food and good health.
The five phrases that sum up the life of Philip Lee Sheridan: God, Honor, Hard Work, Stoicism, and the Joy of Traveling. Rest in Peace Phil…your next trip should be a fantastic journey. Mahalo and Aloha (Hawaiian for Thank You and Goodbye-with Love).
The funeral will be held at Baca’s Mortuary in Deming, NM, March 3, at 10 a.m., presided by Rev. Larimore Wickett, Pastor of Deming First Presbyterian Church. He will be buried alongside his wife, Barbara, who passed away in 1999. Amarillo arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia.
The family wishes to thank Chestnut Lane Assisted Living Facility for the Deaf in Oregon, The Continental, BSA Hospice, and Childers Place (all in Amarillo, TX) for helping Philip in his last few years of life on earth. Memorials may be made to BSA Hospice, PO Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79105.
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