Sherman Jackson

Sherman Edward Jackson affectionately known as S.J. was born in Berkeley, California on September 27, 1948 on a nice 74 degree sunny day to Eddie Jackson and Mabel Murdock.  Sherman was the second child and only son born to this union of four.  He and his family moved to Portland, Oregon in 1953 when he was just five years old.

In his early years, Sherman attended Immaculate Heart Catholic School in North Portland and later graduated from Grant High School.

Sherman loved movies and family gatherings during the holidays.  He loved taking drives to the coast and reading.  Sherman had a love for fancy cars and stylish clothes.  He enjoyed the finer things in life, and it was evident.  He was a class act and hard to follow.  

In the late 1960s, Sherman became a proud father.  

He loved music and as a child his father bought him an organ (keyboard) and he taught himself how to play it and became very good at it.  He had an ear for music.  He was so good at playing the keyboard that as a teenager, he would play music at the Cotton Club.  Later in life (1970s) he would go to Irvington Park and take his keyboard with him and perform live shows and have jam sessions.  He always drew a crowd wherever he went.

Sherman was very smart and business savvy.  He became a successful businessman in the community.  His first business was a pool hall located on MLK (formally Union Ave) and Fremont.  He wanted to have a place for young people to come and hang out and have a good time, so they did not have to roam the streets and get into trouble.  He was a mentor to many and was well respected in the community.  Later in the 1980s, he opened a barber shop called SJ’s House of Style.  In 2005, Sherman opened Platinum Fade Salon which is still going strong.  Sherman was an icon in the community and was loved and respected by many.

Sherman believed in giving back to the community.  He would often provide free back-to-school haircuts for children and adults who were unable to pay.  He would visit the sick and shut-in in hospitals and provide haircuts for them.  He would organize and run coat drives for the children in the community, he would go to the Columbia River Penitentiary and Donald E. Long Juvenile Detention to speak to the young people that were incarcerated.  He would often employ children to work in his salon to earn money to deter them from going out and doing the wrong things.  He would often give donations to various churches and always supported various events in the community when he could.  He made donations to St. Jude’s and Leisure Hour Golf, just to name a few.  

Not only was he an outstanding barber, but he was also a cosmetology instructor.  Sherman received numerous outstanding awards.  One of his favorite sayings was “You have to work hard to get what you want in life!”  That is what he believed and that is what he did from the beginning until the very end.

Sherman was the proud father of eight daughters.  He loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  

Sherman gave his life to Christ and accepted God as his Lord and Savior.

Sherman was preceded in death by his Grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Dillard, His Father Eddie and Mother Mabel, and his sisters Cynthia and Paulette.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his daughters Davetta Lockett-Jackson, LaShaunda Jackson-Gatson, Tarzine Jackson, Taeyonna Jackson, Coshia Jackson, Shermeana Jackson and Emerald Jackson.  His grandchildren Davetta Phillips, BerAnthony Wright Jr., Marshall Richmond IV, Kylionna Penn, Maurice Gatson Jr., Auja Jackson, Meili Jackson, La’nysha Jackson, Latrell Patrick, Lanelle Patrick, Lavonne Jackson.  Great-grandchildren Sani Yancy, Isaiah Phillips Jr., Amari Phillips and Dante Samuel, Anayhia Wright, Jo-zyhia Wright, Bailey Wright, Ma’Kayla Wright, Ma’Lonn Capri Richmond.  Sisters Linda Henderson (Odell) and Margie Jackson, Nephew Anthony Henderson (Naomi), Niece Nikisha Henderson, Great nephew Kwasi Henderson, Great Nieces Destiny Henderson and Munah Henderson, Aunt Sallie and 1st Cousins Vernita May and Jewel Smith and host of extended family and friends.

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