A Giant Passing
Over the past few weeks, I have written about two literary giant we have lost—first, Spanish literary giant, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, called Gabo, followed by Maya Angelou, an American icon.
There is an old saying that bad news comes in threes. 
It is with a saddened heart that today I write about another literary giant passing: Jory Sherman left this life June 28, 2014.
Jory began writing as a kind of therapy after his stint in the armed forces during the Korean conflict. He went on to publish more than 400 books with all the major publishing houses. His first publication was a book of poetry that
went through multiple printings. But his greatest contributions came in novels. Loren Estleman, nominated for two Pulitzer Prizes and winner of the National Book Award, called Jory “a national treasure.” Prolific author Janet Dailey said, “Jory paints word pictures with remarkable skill.”
Jory accumulated a plethora of awards, the latest coming just a year before his death. His awards included a Spur Award for his novel Medicine Horn. When The Grass Kingdom was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in Literature, his 
reputation as a distinguished novelist began to grow. He received many other awards along the way and in June of 2013, Jory received the Owen Wister Award for Lifetime Contributions to Western Literature, the highest award given by Western Writers of America.
Some think Jory only wrote westerns, but that hardly tells the story. Besides the poetry books, Jory wrote mysteries, suspense books, supernatural tales, literary novels, romance novels, and a few books to help writers. He was once featured on the center spread of Romantic Times, and was a special guest at the Romance Writers of America convention.
I first met Jory just before the turn of the century. He rode up on a motor bike, looking for the person who ran the Northeast Texas Writer’s Organization conferences. We became good friends. Jory and Charlotte had just moved to a place on a lake near Pittsburg, Texas.
Soon, his eyesight began to fade a result of his long battle with diabetes. I remember his leaving our house one day and when he got in the driver’s seat, I asked him how he could see to drive. He showed me his driving glasses. Each lens had what appeared to be a tiny telescope attached to it. I backed up, giving him plenty of room.
Even as his sight deteriorated, Jory pushed forward. He began to paint, taking lessons from a local artist. Several years later, he painted pictures for the covers of two of his books.
About a year ago, he and Charlotte moved back to the Branson area in the Ozarks, one of his favorite spots. Jory’s health was failing and this put them close to their son Mark Sherman. But Jory continued to write daily, finishing several books during the year. Earlene (my wife) and I visited their home there, on Bull Shoals Lake, and I photographed his Wister Award, pictured above.
Just days before he passed away, we visited Jory in a nursing home in Hollister, near Branson. His kidneys were failing, his diabetes was worse, his eyesight almost gone. He could no longer walk.
But he was still Jory. I asked him what he was doing and he said, “I’m writing books in my mind.”
The world has lost another gifted giant of literature.
If you have a story about Jory, please add it here in a comment. Thanks.
Jim,
Though I never met Jory, it’s evident from your post and two other tributes I’ve read that his literary contribution, which was awesome to say the least, was eclipsed by his willingness to share what he knew. That is an eternal tribute.
Thanks for the great post.
Bert
Jory was always willing to help other writers. He created the Rivers West series, and then gave many of the books to other authors to write. He helped first time writers. He was willing to help anybody who was interested in writing. He will be missed. Thanks for the comment, Bert.
My wife, Kimberly, and I met Jory and Charlotte in Branson a few years ago. Absolutely delightful people, both of them, full of generosity and good humor. We’re all the worse for his passing, but the better for his having been in our lives.
Well said, Duke. Thanks for stopping by.
So sorry for the third passing of such great talent.
Thanks, Marni, for the comment. He was a great talent and he shared/helped many.
I have no stories about the man, but your tribute was touching. Thank you for sharing stories about him.
Thanks, Marja. Jory was an exceptional man, and writer.
I never met the man, but I like his view on life. Even when he was at the home, he said he was writing books in his head. That’s terrific! I’ve not read his work, but I’m gonna get one of his novels now. Thanks for sharing this nice tribute.
For a novel of the west, try The Grass Kingdom, or Song of Cheyenne, of The Medicine Horn. More main stream or literary, try The Ballad of Pinewood Lake. As they say: so many books, so little time. Thanks for stopping by Chris.
A wonderful tribute to the man. And you were so fortunate to be friends with him.
Fortunate, indeed. A true talent, eager to share with others. Thanks for stopping by, Lesley.
Nice tribute to an artist and man who will be missed by many who loved his work and inspiration.
Yes, he will be missed by many. I will be one of those. Thanks, John
Waaaaa. I feel sad now. Sad I never even heard of Jory Sherman before this moment.
Thank you for this report, Jim.
Marta, thanks for stopping. Since you’ve never heard of Jory, take a look at his last words at:
http://venturegalleries.com/blog/the-final-poignant-message-from-jory-sherman
It will give you a glimpse of the man.
We raised our glasses in his honor last night at the Western Writers of America Conference Spur Awards banquet in Sacramento. Many a tear was shed for this friend and icon. It was a lovely moment. He would have been proud.
I’m sure he was watching, Anne.
The first time I met Jory was in 2009 when I attended a NETWO Saturday get-together at the Pizza Inn in Pittsburg, Texas. I had only been writing for about two years and I had no idea who Jory Sherman was or how accomplished he was. I was just stupid enough to take something to read that day because Galand Nuchols had told me to bring a sample of my writing. I sat next to Jory. After I finished reading, he looked over at me and I braced myself for tough critique. Instead, he said, ” I could take you to New York and get you published right now.” When I got my first book published, he was kind enough to write an endorsement for me. I told him, he would never know how much his kind words of encouragement meant to me that day at the Pizza Inn.
He and Charlotte became very special to me.
I was once asked why I write and my answer was: because it gives me joy to know that long after I’m gone from this planet, my words will live on. I take comfort in the many beautiful words Jory has left behind.
Thank you, Jim for this wonderful tribute to Jory.
Jory was always encouraging to new writers. Not only encouraging, but helpful, willing to give his time to help others. And this, from a person who was writing his own work on what I would call a brutal schedule. He will be missed. Thanks, Anne.
Jim, this is a wonderful article.
Thanks, Paul. We were fortunate to have shared time with a great writer.