Sherman "Sherm" Buckingham MacCready's Obituary
Sherman Buckingham MacCready
April 3rd 1950 - February 25th 2026
On February 25th, 2026, Sherm set out on a new, beautiful cruise across the big lake.
He was born in Jackson, MI, raised by Sherman and Marcia MacCready, the eldest of 3 rowdy brothers, with George and Gary. They were all water babies, growing up on Round Lake. They boated, water skied, got into trouble, and built everything from stereos to submarines.
He graduated from Parkside High School (Class of ‘68), JCC, and Ferris State University. Sherm joined the Navy in 1971, on the government's promise of being stationed in Hawaii, then they sent him to Scotland and he never trusted the government again (family lore). The silver lining was that Scotland shaped his life. He fell in love with the land, cities and people and would return throughout his life.
After school and the Navy, Sherm joined the family business, Jackson Glass Works. He would go on to start his own company Jackson Computer Services in 1980. He continued to be a leader in both companies for his entire life.
In 1986, Sherm met Charline Pedersen and with his son’s blessing, they married in 1991. Outside of work, you would rarely find one without the other. Sherm didn’t suffer the unserious or uninspired. He worked doggedly his whole life, up until the very end, with focus, fairness, and integrity. All that work was so he could play just as hard. He was always an architect of exploration.
In 1988, he made a decision that would shape the rest of his life, he bought a 37’ 1967 Egg Harbor with a hole in the stern. The boat was named “SunnySide Up”, and after she was made seaworthy, Sherm’s imagination crafted countless memories for his friends and family. The northern Great Lakes were now his playground and each new voyage would top the previous one.
Sherm kept everyone he loved stocked in adventure as often as he could. He spearheaded countless trips throughout the Great Lakes where he Captained his crew to stunning sunsets on the horizon of Lake Huron, explored uninhabited islands in the North Channel, had cocktails atop abandoned lighthouses in Lake Michigan, slinked into the Mackinac Island ferry dock after midnight for “last call”, braved lake effect storms, or just motored through the Les Cheneaux to and from home on Hill Island, all the while blasting Dire Straits, Elton John, The Who, and Pink Floyd.
When Sherm set his focus on something, he was studious, methodical and relentless. Some of the things he loved (in no particular order): his wife and son, his family, his employees, BMWs, hot sauce, wood boats, lighthouses, computers, high fidelity sound systems, British television, photography, rollercoasters, genealogy, nautical charts, karate, woodworking, everything electrical, a good IPA, a peaty scotch, aviator sunglasses, dry wit, onions, garlic, power tools and always, a mission.
When the original Jackson Glass Works building was demolished to make room for Consumers Energy headquarters, he realized that the beams of the 100+ year old building were “priceless”, so he insisted that they be saved. He then purchased a mill, planer, and numerous other woodworking tools. He built a full wood lined bar in his basement, remodeled his cottage North, and used them for countless other projects, repurposing the family DNA.
Sherm was also funny. Like, really, really funny. He was a dry-witted, dad-joke, samurai.
If we could think of one regret Sherm might have for leaving, it would be that he wasn’t done helping the people that he loved. He always had more to do, more to figure out, more to explore, and more adventures to make. He was a complex, beautiful, and unforgettable man. Everyone was better for having known him.
He is survived by his beloved wife Charline, his son Robert, his brother George, his nephews Dan and Brian, and his niece Mary Jane. He is preceded in death by his mother and father Sherman and Marcia MacCready, and his brother Gary.
A gathering to celebrate Sherm’s life will be held on his birthday, April 3rd at Saint John's UCC/Westminster Presbyterian Church (Partnership Place) with a visitation at 10am, funeral at 11 and luncheon to follow.
What’s your fondest memory of Sherman "Sherm"?
What’s a lesson you learned from Sherman "Sherm"?
Share a story where Sherman "Sherm"'s kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Sherman "Sherm" you’ll never forget.
How did Sherman "Sherm" make you smile?