Mr. Sherman was born in Columbia, LA on May 30, 1924 to the union of Dr. Dollie Oliver and Zudie Jones Sherman.

Mr. Sherman was currently mayor of Columbia. He has served as mayor for 41 years, from 1964 to 1980 and 1984 until present. He is currently Louisiana's longest serving mayor, hence, he is the "Dean of Louisiana Mayors". He served for 8 years on the Columbia Town Council. He served as president of the Louisiana Municipal Association in 1968.

He was a licensed Real Estate Broker for 40 years and a Real Estate Appraiser of 15 years. He was a board member for the National Association of Master Appraisers from 1997 to 2003. He was active in municipal and governmental affairs with board membership in Risk Management, Inc. and the Louisiana Municipal Gas Authority.

He participated in numerous LMA committees and task forces throughout his years in public service. As LMA's longest-serving past president still in municipal office he, for many years, has had the privilege of reading the "LMA Memorial Report" [a report of the deaths of Louisiana mayors, municipal officials and other prominent publish officials] at each year's annual convention.

Mr. Sherman served in active duty from November 1942 until March 1946. He was assigned to the 62nd Bomb Squadron, as Central Fire Control Maintenance Mechanic. He served in the Air Offensive Japan. He received the American Theater Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, 2 Good Conduct Medals and a World War II Victory Medal.

He also served two terms on the Republican State Central Committee.

He was a Perpetual Member of Columbia Masonic Lodge, #164, a Perpetual Member of Rosemary Lodge #278, a member of the Monroe York Rites Bodies and a charter member of Barak Shrine.

He was a member of the Columbia Kiwanis Club since January 20, 1951 and served as president and on numerous committees. Mr. Sherman was a member of the American Legion Louisiana Post 162 for 59 years.

Sherman married Geraldine Dunn together they had 3 sons, James, Jr., Stephen and Thomas. and 2 step-children, Karen and Reginald (from Geraldine's previous marriage) and 11 grandchildren/step-children.