Eldon Dale Sherwood, 84, passed away at his home which he designed and built, in Santa Cruz, California on November 13, 2025.
Born on September 2, 1941 in Sublette, Kansas to Vida Lucille Bailey and Raymond Leonard Sherwood, Eldon moved to Benicia, California when he was two months old. When he was in the third grade, his family moved to Vallejo and he graduated from Vallejo High in 1960. As a young man in San Francisco, he trained as an architectural and structural draftsman and was employed by a prominent engineering firm.
On August 1, 1970, Eldon married Diane Maguire at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. They lived in Palo Alto before moving to Santa Cruz so he could attend the University of California, Santa Cruz. He graduated with a B.S. degree in environmental analysis and planning. He worked for the Santa Cruz County Planning Department for 13 years. As a General Contractor, he built and remodeled homes, owning Sherwood Builders for 25 years before he retired. Eldon was grateful that he had been able to live in such a beautiful area for 53 years.
As a young man, Eldon learned to sail on Richardson Bay in Sausalito and treasured sailing his 25’ Catalina, named for his favorite saying, ‘Carpe Diem’. He was a long time 49ers and Giants fan, who enjoyed architecture, fishing, camping, cross-country trips and vacations to Hawaii and Europe. He loved to cook for his family and his clam chowder, mushroom omelettes, and pies were outstanding. He liked to joke, to win at Dominoes, read history and to learn about our very special planet. Most of all, Eldon was a loving family man.
He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Lee and Ray. Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Diane, daughter Dana Sherwood, son Keith Sherwood and Jordan Eddy, daughter Irene Howard and Tim Howard, and grandchildren Thomas and Andrew Howard, and Blair Sherwood.
At Eldon’s request, there will be no services.
Memorial contributions can be made in Eldon’s name to Hospice of Santa Cruz County or Blood Cancer United.
Born on September 2, 1941 in Sublette, Kansas to Vida Lucille Bailey and Raymond Leonard Sherwood, Eldon moved to Benicia, California when he was two months old. When he was in the third grade, his family moved to Vallejo and he graduated from Vallejo High in 1960. As a young man in San Francisco, he trained as an architectural and structural draftsman and was employed by a prominent engineering firm.
On August 1, 1970, Eldon married Diane Maguire at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. They lived in Palo Alto before moving to Santa Cruz so he could attend the University of California, Santa Cruz. He graduated with a B.S. degree in environmental analysis and planning. He worked for the Santa Cruz County Planning Department for 13 years. As a General Contractor, he built and remodeled homes, owning Sherwood Builders for 25 years before he retired. Eldon was grateful that he had been able to live in such a beautiful area for 53 years.
As a young man, Eldon learned to sail on Richardson Bay in Sausalito and treasured sailing his 25’ Catalina, named for his favorite saying, ‘Carpe Diem’. He was a long time 49ers and Giants fan, who enjoyed architecture, fishing, camping, cross-country trips and vacations to Hawaii and Europe. He loved to cook for his family and his clam chowder, mushroom omelettes, and pies were outstanding. He liked to joke, to win at Dominoes, read history and to learn about our very special planet. Most of all, Eldon was a loving family man.
He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Lee and Ray. Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Diane, daughter Dana Sherwood, son Keith Sherwood and Jordan Eddy, daughter Irene Howard and Tim Howard, and grandchildren Thomas and Andrew Howard, and Blair Sherwood.
At Eldon’s request, there will be no services.
Memorial contributions can be made in Eldon’s name to Hospice of Santa Cruz County or Blood Cancer United.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Eldon Dale Sherwood, please visit our flower store.
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