Roll Call Tribute

Carleton Knight "Carl" Sherman 

April 9, 1933 - August 23, 2025 

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Carleton “Carl” Knight Sherman, age 92, of Rockwall, Texas. Carl was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, on April 9, 1933, to parents Carleton Wood Sherman and Jewell Leone (Knight) Sherman. He departed this world on August 23, 2025, with his loving family by his side.

Carl grew up in Vicksburg alongside his younger brother, Wayne Winslow Sherman, and graduated from Carr High School in 1951. In 1955, he earned his degree in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University. Shortly thereafter, he began a lifelong career devoted to aerospace, electronics, and defense technology. Over the years, Carl worked with LTV Electrosystems, E-Systems, and Texas Instruments, holding a top-secret clearance and contributing to research, design, and development of defense systems and space vehicles. He later retired from Raytheon, following their acquisition of TI’s defense division, and had also contributed to the Superconducting Super Collider in Waxahachie until the project’s cancellation in 1993. A private man, Carl rarely spoke of his work, often summing it up simply by saying he was “an electrical engineer.”

Alongside his professional career, Carl proudly served his country as an officer in the Army National Guard. He achieved the rank of Captain and was qualified for Colonel but chose to remain near his family in Dallas rather than relocate for promotion. His service and discipline carried through every part of his life.

Carl married his love, Linda Ross, on August 29, 1969, at West Shore Presbyterian Church in Dallas. Together, they raised a large and blended family with devotion and care. He took great pride in being both a provider and protector, guiding his children toward education and instilling values of responsibility, commitment, and love. In his words, the question was never “are you going to college?” but rather “where are you going to go?”

Family and tradition were deeply important to Carl. He loved genealogy and sharing family history and found joy in being surrounded by his children and grandchildren. Carl also enjoyed teaching, once leading a night class at Texas Instruments on how to use a slide rule. A licensed pilot, one of his fondest memories was flying his family to Walt Disney World when it first opened. He and Linda also shared many adventures together, including a memorable trip to Acapulco where they attended a bullfight.

Outside of work and family, Carl had a wide range of interests. A licensed ham radio operator since high school, he enjoyed communicating across the globe long before technology made it simple. A lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan, Carl also loved simple pleasures - plaid shirts, Pepsi, Cheez-Its, cashews, Little Debbie snacks, and dinners at Cotton Patch or Luigi’s. He was known for his humor, southern manners, and quiet generosity, always helping others without seeking recognition.

Carl will be remembered as a disciplined, thoughtful, and generous man who lived with integrity, loved his family deeply, and quietly gave of himself to others. His legacy lives on in his family and in the many lives he touched.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Wayne, and his son Carleton. He is survived by his beloved wife, Linda; daughters Dianne, Cynthia, and Priscilla; stepdaughters Christi Rodgers (Brad Witte) and Cheryl (Tim) Price; grandchildren Jae (Nicole) Adams, Evan (Fabiola) Adams, Carleton (Melanie) Sherman, Wayne Smith, and Audrey (Matt) Grapsas; and great-grandchildren Jillian and Declan Adams, William, Christopher, and Sophia Adams, Benjamin and Eleanor Sherman, and Sawyer and Finley Price.

A public time of gathering and visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at Reflections Chapel at Rest Haven Funeral Home, Rockwall, TX.

A funeral service to honor the life of Carl will take place the following day, Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at 10:00 AM, also in Reflections Chapel at Rest Haven Funeral Home. Interment will take place immediately after conclusion of the chapel service at 11:00 AM, at Rest Haven Memorial Park in the Garden of Peace, also located on site. The U.S. Army Honor Guard will be in attendance to render graveside Military Honors in remembrance of Carl and his service to our country.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Rest Haven Funeral Home - Rockwall, Texas.