John Herring

HERRING, JOHN I. -A visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, on Monday, March 26, 2018 at LaGrone Funeral Chapel in Roswell, NM for John I. Herring, who passed away at his home in Denton, TX on March 22, 2018 at the age of 98. Graveside services are scheduled for 2:00 PM on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at South Park Cemetery in Roswell. Pastor Tina Cross of First United Methodist Church will officiate.

Being one of eight children, John was born in Ft. Sumner, New Mexico on April 25, 1919 to Joseph D. and Margaret Pearl Herring.

John and his family moved to Roswell when he was in grade school. He was an all-star football and basketball player at Roswell High School, graduating in 1939. After graduation he went to work for the Pecos Valley Coca Cola company, later going to work for Mountain Bell Telephone Company.

During high school John would go to the local movie theater in Roswell and flirt with a very cute gal behind the counter. The flirtation grew into a romance that would last over 74 years. He and Dorothy Deason were married July 5, 1941, and she always remained the love of his life.

In 1942 he was drafted into the Army. Because of his telephone experience John was assigned to the Signal Corps, then a division of the Army Air Force. He was sent overseas to the Pacific theater where his division would set up communications for American forces. When the war ended he returned to Roswell and his telephone job. He advanced in his employment, ending his career as Facilities Supervising Foreman. John was recognized as the most honest foreman in the company and had many friends among his colleagues.

John and Dorothy loved to dance. In the 1950s they belonged to a local Square Dance Club, and they also burned up the dance floor to Country Western Music whenever they had the chance.

He retired when he was 64 and pursued his hobby of raising purebred rabbits, with which he took many prizes at the State and County Fairs and later qualified to be a judge. He also got interested in homing pigeons and belonged to a pigeon club.

John is preceded in death by his wife Dorothy, both parents, and all siblings.

He is survived by his five children: Paul Herring and wife, Ann of Horseshoe Bay, Texas; Diana Lawrence and husband, Mark of Granite Falls, Washington; Beckie Mason and husband, Justin of Denton, Texas; Greg Herring of Boulder, Colorado; and Dan Herring of Roswell, New Mexico. He is also survived by nine grandchildren: DeeAnn Mason Stone of Denton, Texas; Robert Herring and wife Shonna of Roswell, New Mexico; Cecelia Coy Jones and husband Corey of Little Elm, Texas; Paul Coy and wife Jessica of Desoto, Texas; Carlyna Coy Dowell and husband Logan of Flower Mound, Texas; Philip Herring and wife Alessandra of Austin, Texas; Jeffrey Herring of New Orleans Louisiana, Peter Herring and wife Georgina of Limerick, Ireland; and Michelle Herring of Denver, Colorado. Additionally, there are 17 great grandchildren.

The family would like to express its heartfelt gratitude for the loving care of the staff at Willow Bend Assisted Living and Memory Care in Denton, Ardent Hospice, and the CareStaf Agency. Also, an important part of John's life for the past four years was Advanced Rehab Trust Home Health.

Visitation

LaGrone Funeral Chapel
900 South Main
Roswell, NM  88203
Monday, March 26, 2018
5:00 to 7:00 PM

Service

Graveside Service

South Park Cemetery
3101 S. Main
Roswell, NM  88201
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
2:00 PM

Cemetery

South Park Cemetery
3101 S. Main
Roswell, NM  88203