James "Gator" R. Sherman

James "Jimmy" Sherman (11/07/44 – 3/10/24) was truly one-of-a-kind. He grew up in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia and resided there for the last 20 years of his life.  His friends all knew him as “Gator” and he was a fixture in Kensington. He had three daughters, Margie, Desiree and Marion (deceased).

Jimmy was best known for his commitment to inner-city kids. He volunteered as a boxing coach at Rock Ministries of Philadelphia for nearly two decades where he influenced the lives of countless at-risk youth. His coaching style was disciplined but compassionate. He never lost sight of the fact that a child’s welfare was far more important than their boxing skills. To this day, his former boxing students fondly remember his ability to encourage them yet challenge them at the same time. Jimmy coached numerous local, state and national champions, many of whom have gone on to overcome their inner-city circumstances in their careers and family lives.

As a younger man, Jimmy served a lengthy prison sentence. It was there that his life was radically changed. He would tell anyone who would listen about a supernatural encounter he had with Jesus in his prison cell. He insisted that he wasn’t looking for Jesus, but Jesus found him. And once he met the Lord, he never looked back. The rest of his life was spent spreading the word about the God he met and wanted others to know.

Jimmy’s favorite Bible verse was Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." These are words Jimmy lived by.

Relatives and friends are invited to Jimmy's memorial service Wednesday March 27, 2024 at 11am at Rock Ministries 2755 Kensington Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19134. In lieu of flowers and in honoring Gator's wishes, please make donations to Rock Ministries at the above named address.

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