Gordon Lee Sherwood, ad executive, dies at 100

February 14, 2012|By Maria Hsin, maria.hsin@latimes.com

Burbank resident Gordon Lee Sherwood died peacefully Jan. 31 at Sherman Oaks Hospital in Los Angeles with friends at his side. He was 100.

A longtime advertising executive, he was well known for his involvement in live steam railways. As his 100th birthday last year, Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge declared March 22 “Gordon Sherwood Day” for his work in forming the Los Angeles Live Steamers in Griffith Park.

Gordon was born March 22, 1911, on Bunker Hill in Los Angeles to Lee and Addie Sherwood.

The World War II veteran spent his career with the Tabery Corp., a top advertising agency in Los Angeles, where he was an art director for more than 30 years. There he led branding campaigns for companies including Chevrolet, Carnation and Howard Hughes.

On Oct. 3, 1939, Gordon married his childhood sweetheart, Donna, sharing 65 years together mostly in Burbank before she died in 2003.

While Gordon was a graphic artist by trade, he was a mechanical engineer at heart, according to his family. Having been inspired by people he met during the war, Gordon became active in the live steam hobby.

In 1956, with five others, Gordon formed the Los Angeles Live Steamers in Griffith Park and he remained an active member. He sat on the board of directors for two terms and was responsible for the graphic design, including the club logo, newsletter masthead and lettering for a multitude of trains and live steam railways across the country.

He was buried at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills in a private service on Feb. 6, according to a family statement.

Gordon is survived by his adopted son, Craig.

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