On June 26, 2026, Los Alamos lost a beloved lifelong resident with the passing of Allen Sherwood, age 62. Born in Espanola on November 10, 1963, Allen went on to build a vibrant life deeply rooted in the community he loved.

Allen married Sherri Frybarger in 2002, joining her and her two girls, Danielle and Michelle, to begin a new chapter. Together, they rebuilt a home from the ashes of the Cerro Grande fire - a house that would be filled with a rotating cast of four-legged critters from dogs and cats to a pet rat named Smudge, who Allen was quite fond of.

As a child, Allen fell in love with skiing and served on the Junior Ski Patrol alongside his parents and his siblings, Dan and Kim, for several years. He loved to play softball and spent many summer nights on the field. Eventually softball gave way to golf. Allen spent his Tuesday evenings enjoying the camaraderie of his friends in the Fun League, where the golf was casual but the non-stop pranks between buddies were highly competitive. Allen had a fun-loving, adventurous spirit and a profound appreciation for nature. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, hobbies that cemented his bond with his partner in crime, his dad, Boyd. In April of 2000, Allen became a bit of a local legend after surviving a mountain lion attack while out turkey hunting with Boyd. His quick reflexes most assuredly saved his life.

In the kitchen, Allen was an enthusiastic experimentalist. He had a knack for reverse- engineering restaurant meals with remarkable accuracy. There were the occasional 'misses' of course, usually when his fondness for rosemary got the better of him. He would always redeem himself with his legendary green Chile stew or green Chile chicken Cordon bleus the size of hubcaps.

Allen's entrepreneurial spirit kicked in early, beginning with a lawn care service he started with a friend when he was young. After high school, he gained valuable experience in construction and residential and commercial painting. Drawing on that experience, he launched his own company, Sherwood Custom Painting, and spent more than a decade growing it into a trusted business known for exceptional service and a loyal client base. In 2002, he brought his extensive expertise to Los Alamos County where he served as a Construction Specialist. He officially retired in 2024 after 22 years of service.

Above all, he will be remembered for his warmth, generosity, sense of humor, and the fact that he literally never met a 'stranger' his entire life. He was so incredibly social, no one in the family would go to the grocery store with him for fear that a 10 minute trip would actually take two hours. He would get so caught up in conversation that he would invariably forget some of the very items he went there for. Classic Allen.

He accepted Christ at a young age, embarking on a lifelong spiritual journey. Through triumphs and trials, his faith remained strong, his devotion to God never wavering.

Allen is survived by his wife of 24 years, Sherri, his step-daughters, Michelle Frybarger and Danielle Goodbody, son-in-law Austin Goodbody, granddaughter Marlowe, his mom Mary Lou, sister Kim, brother Dan, and a host of extended family who loved him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his father Boyd, his auntsGayleen and Jeanette, his uncles Gerald, Curtis and Jerry, his cousins Dana, Robert, and Kenny, and his grandparents.

A celebration of life and memorial service will be held at White Rock Baptist Church on Saturday, July 18th at 11:00 a.m. A private interment service for the family will be held at a later date.

The family of Allen Sherwood has entrusted the care of their loved one to the De Vargas Funeral Home of the beautiful Espanola Valley. 505-747-7477.