John Sherman Earl

John Sherman Earl, 84, of Meridian, ID, passed away on April 6, 2025, with his beautiful and loving wife of 53 years, Jean, by his side. John was born on March 15, 1941, in Cotton Plant, AR, to parents John Cleveland and Carrie Lydia (Day) Earl. John, his sister, Yvonne, and brothers, Eugene and Jessie, grew up in Monterey, AR. They lived across from their grandmother, granddaddy, and numerous aunts and uncles. John and his family moved to Trumann, AR when he was a sophomore in high school. He graduated high school as senior class president and began working miscellaneous jobs prior to joining the United States Air Force. During his 20-and-a-half-year career with USAF, he was not only stationed at many bases on the home front, but also at numerous bases abroad. He was stationed in Nebraska, at Offutt Air Force Base, where he met and fell in love with his beautiful wife, Jean Steele. After John proposed, they tied the knot within two weeks, on December 10, 1971. John and Jean had a daughter, Renee, in June of 1974. John finished out his military career at Mountain Home Air Force Base, in Idaho. He retired from the USAF as a Master Sargent before continuing his education at Boise State University. He graduated with his degree in Radiologic Technology, and the family moved to Meridian. John moving up the ranks to supervise the department, until he retired. John was incredibly proud of his military service and loved his interactions with the vast number of patients, within his 18 years at the hospital. He was an avid bird hunter for quite some time, but his passion was tying flies for fly fishing. He loved it so much that he got his grandkids rods and reels, to get them involved as well. He was also a proud member of both the Masonic Lodge and the Shriners.

John is survived by his wife, Jean; daughter, Renee and son (in-law) Dan Cole; granddaughter, Sammi Cole; grandson, Kolby and his wife Meghan Cole; and great-grandson Oliver. He is also survived by his sister, Yvonne (Gordon) LaFarlett; nieces, Rita (Mark) Gallion and Debbie (Mark) Isaacson; nephews, Kenny (Mary) Muckey, Bobby Muckey, and Jimmy (Jennifer) Muckey; as well uncles, Jim Bob Robison and Wayne Brumley. John is preceded in death by his parents, John and Lydia Earl; brothers, Eugene Earl and Jessie Earl; sister (in-law) Shirley Muckey; father and mother in-law, Ken and Dorothy Steele; as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to The El Korah Shriner's Patient Travel Fund, in memory of John Earl. This is to cover travel related expenses and care for children, at no cost to the family. 1775 N Westgate Drive, Ste 125, Boise, ID, 83704, 208-343-0571.