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On January 18th, Gary R. Herron, our beloved father and loving husband was called to his heavenly father's final embrace. Gary was born in Esserville, VA and lost his father at the age of 2. As a result, Gary and his sister, Betty Jo, were very close and the importance of family and duty were deeply instilled in his character. After seeing his Uncle's brand new car and the "good life" the military service could bring, he joined the Army at the age of 17. He returned from Germany and met the love of his life and wife of nearly 50 years, Merced Alvarado Herron. He then embarked on his second life goal, a family of his own. He and Merced were blessed with 5 children, Gary, Monica, Jonathan, Joseph, and Anthony. The Vietnam War temporarily interrupted his devotion to his family where he served as a 91C and was awarded the Bronze Star and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm. After his tours, he graduated from the Army's first Physician Assistant program at Ft Sam Houston and was offered the opportunity to attend the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. With baby 4 on the way, he opted to serve in the troop medical clinics at Ft Leonard Wood MO where he added the final baby to his family and Ft Campbell KY. These assignments allowed Gary plenty of time to fish, coach various sports and create life long memories with his family. He returned back to Ft Sam Houston for his last duty station and retired in 1982 after 22 years of service. For the next 27 years, he worked as a safety officer on offshore oil rigs for various companies all over the world. When he was home from sea, he would pack the family to go fishing at the Corpus Christi Navel Air Station. During his final years, he remained close to his family as he battled IPF and Lymphoma. As he wished, he died at home, his family surrounding him in song and prayer. He is survived by his loving wife, Merced, his children Dr Gary Herron II and his wife Shirley, Monica Collier, Jonathan Herron, Joseph Herron, and Dr Anthony Herron and his wife Beatrice, beloved sister Betty Jo Collins, 11 grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. Services The family will receive friends from 6-8:00pm and a Holy Rosary will be recited at 7:00pm Tuesday, January 29th at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North. A Mass of the Resurrection will be Celebrated at 10:00am, Wednesday January 30th at Holy Family Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Ft Sam Houston National Cemetery. The family would like to thank the dedicated health professionals at Wilford Hall and San Antonio Military Medical Center.

Tributes

Gary R Herron

June 21, 1942 - January 18, 2013